Bone pattern changes in post liver transplant patients using bisphosphonates.

OBJECTIVE: To identify radiographic findings suggestive of drug-induced osteonecrosis and evaluate radiomorphometric patterns indicative of changes in bone mineral density in individuals transplanted for liver disorders using bisphosphonates. STUDY DESIGN: The study group included panoramic x-rays of liver transplant patients who are being monitored and who present a clinical status of osteoporosis and use bisphosphonates. The control group was made up of liver transplant patients who did not have osteoporosis. On panoramic radiographs, mental index (MI) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) and the presence of radiographic anomalies suggestive of osteonecrosis were evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant statistical results when comparing the groups in relation to the decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) with MCI-C3 (p = 0.036), however, there were none in relation to MI (p = 0.14). There were no valid statistical results when relating MCI (p = 0.94) and MI (p = 0.66) with reduced BMD and use of bisphosphonates. CONCLUSION: Liver transplant individuals using bisphosphonates present greater radiographic signs of bone sclerosis suggestive of a greater propensity to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw and an increased risk of presenting changes suggestive of reduced bone mineral density on panoramic radiographs when compared to liver transplant individuals not using bisphosphonates.

Quantification of Torque Teno Virus (TTV) in plasma and saliva of individuals with liver cirrhosis: a cross sectional study.

Introduction: Torque teno virus (TTV) has been pointed as an endogenous marker of immune function, the objective of this study was to investigate the TTV viral load in plasma and saliva of cirrhotic individuals and correlate it with clinical characteristics. Methods: Blood, saliva, clinical data from records and laboratory tests were collected from 72 cirrhotic patients. Plasma and saliva were submitted to real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantification of TTV viral load. Results: The majority of the patients presented decompensated cirrhosis (59.7%) and 47.2% had alterations in the white blood series. TTV was identified in 28 specimens of plasma (38.8%) and in 67 specimens of saliva (93.0%), with median values of TTV copies/mL of 90.6 in plasma and 245.14 in saliva. All the patients who were positive for TTV in plasma were also positive in saliva, with both fluids having a moderately positive correlation for the presence of TTV. There was no correlation between TTV viral load, either in plasma or in saliva, and any of the variables studied. Conclusion: TTV is more frequently found and in greater amount in the saliva than in the plasma of cirrhotic patients. There was no correlation between TTV viral load and clinical parameters.

Assessment of mandibular cortical index in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: A case-control study.

AIMS: To assess the presence of alterations suggestive of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) by using mandibular cortical index (MCI) in panoramic radiographs of cirrhotic individuals and to evaluate their relationship with other characteristics of hepatic cirrhosis (HC). METHODS AND RESULTS: This is an observational case-control study assessing the medical records of 165 cirrhotic patients matched by sex and age with healthy individuals. MELD (model of end stage liver disease) score, etiology, complications, comorbidities, and serum levels of vitamin D were collected. MCI was used to obtain BMD. Binary logistic regression was used to test associations and the risk estimates were expressed in odds ratio. Most of the sample consisted of men (73.93%) with median age of 56 years old. In the study group, the mean value of MELD was 16.5 and hepatitis C was the main etiology of HC (33.9%). Cirrhotic individuals are 3.99 times more likely to present alterations suggestive of reduced BMD (p < .01). There was no statistical significance in the association of MCI with levels of vitamin D, comorbidities, etiology or cirrhosis complications. CONCLUSIONS: MCI suggestive of reduced BMD is more likely to be identified in panoramic radiographs of cirrhotic individuals than of healthy ones.

Brain abscesses due to odontogenic infection: Case series.

Brain abscesses due to odontogenic infection are infrequent, but they deserve attention due to the high incidence of serious complications and the high mortality rate. This article aimed to report five cases of cerebral abscess due to odontogenic infection, of patients attended in the Clinical Hospital of Medical School of the University of São Paulo (HCFMUSP). In all cases, treatment consisted of draining the brain abscess, antibiotic therapy and extraction of all teeth responsible for the infection. Streptococcus spp. was the causative agent of all the cases reported in this article. The purpose of the study was to highlight the importance of the dental approach for the resolution of cases.

Fanconi anemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant as risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A case report with a 12-year follow-up.

Fanconi anemia is a rare disorder resulting from defects in genes responsible for DNA damage responses. It is characterized by congenital anomalies, aplastic anemia, and a predisposition to cancer. Currently, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment available for bone marrow failure; however, HSCT increases oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk. Here we report the case of a patient diagnosed with Fanconi anemia in childhood who was treated with HSCT and later diagnosed with multiple OSCCs during a 12-year follow-up. Despite multiple surgical interventions and radiotherapy regimens, the patient`s health deteriorated. Management of individuals with Fanconi anemia is challenging and must be provided by a multidisciplinary healthcare team to ensure better staging, treatment planning, and coordination.

Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral lesions caused by paracoccidiomycosis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracocdioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii. Oral ulcers are usually the first clinical signs of the disease. As it is a systemic fungal disease, local treatments are considered complementary, such as photodynamic therapy (aPDT). We present a patient with ulcerated lesions in the oral cavity of about 6 months duration. The pain complaint in the oropharynx led to a reduction in food acceptance and a weight loss of around 40 kg. He underwent biopsy of the lip lesion, and the histopathological report described yeast with multiple buds compatible with PMC. Our team opted for treatment with aPDT sessions. Two sessions were carried out in the ward and six in the ICU, showing satisfactory results in the remission of ulcerated lesions associated with PCM as well as the painful symptoms in the oral cavity. Also, the patient underwent Amphotericin B and Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. We believe that the association of aPDT with pharmacological therapy possibly accelerated the repair process of oral lesions, as well as providing fungal lesion decontamination, improving progressively the healing of oral lesions.

Assessment of laboratory tests and intraoperative bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing tooth extractions.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to quantify intraoperative bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and correlate it with clinical characteristics and laboratory coagulation tests. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was carried out with 74 patients with cirrhosis who were submitted to preoperative coagulation tests (complete blood count, platelet count, prothrombin time/international normalized ratio, thrombin time, activated partial thrombin time, platelet aggregation, fibrinogen, protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and von Willebrand factor level and activity). The levels of nitrogen compounds that can affect the platelet function were determined in saliva and blood by using automated enzymatic-colorimetric assays. RESULTS: Patients with cirrhosis had changes in almost all coagulation tests. The average volumes of intraoperative bleeding and blood lost per minute in the study group (5.36 mL/min and 0.19 mL/min, respectively) were greater than those in the control group (3.05 mL/min and 0.11 mL/min, respectively; P < .05). In the control group, ascites (P = .012) and presence of periapical lesion (0.034) were positively correlated with bleeding (mL/min). With regard to coagulation tests and nitrogen compounds, only a positively moderate correlation with the platelet aggregation test was observed. CONCLUSIONS: No patients had hemorrhagic events and it was not possible to correlate a greater amount of bleeding with coagulation tests or nitrogen compounds in the study group.

Oral management of pemphigus vulgaris in the intensive care unit.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare and potentially lethal autoimmune disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Injuries caused by the disease cause pain, risk of infection, and other complications that result in a high mortality rate. Frequently, management of the PV requires intensive care and a multidisciplinary approach. Oral lesions of PV are usually the first clinical signs of the disease and the last lesions to heal, requiring treatment by a specialized dental team. The aim of this study was to report two clinical cases of PV with involvement of the oral mucosa. The patients were admitted to an intensive care unit, and underwent multidisciplinary management of their condition along with low-level laser therapy. Both cases demonstrated the importance of specialized dental care in improving the quality of life of patients with PV.

Can children be affected by bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw? A systematic review.

Knowledge of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is mostly based on adult cases, however bisphosphonates are also currently recommended for different paediatric diseases resulting in osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the risk of developing BRONJ in children and adolescents. The PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched using the key words "bisphosphonates", "osteonecrosis", "jaw", and "children". Literature reviews, case reports, abstracts, theses, textbooks, and book chapters were excluded. Studies involving children and young adults (younger than 24 years of age) were included. A total of 56 publications were identified. After applying the eligibility criteria, only seven articles remained. Although no cases of osteonecrosis were identified, all studies had weaknesses such as a limited sample size or the absence of risk factors for the development of osteonecrosis. There is general consensus that this subject should be of concern and that further studies should be conducted before any definitive opinion is reached. It is believed that patients with secondary osteoporosis who use bisphosphonates continuously should be followed up during adulthood, since bone turnover decreases over the years.

Prevalence of sublingual varices in patients with cirrhosis and the correlation with nitrogen compounds.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the presence and severity of sublingual varices in patients with cirrhosis and the correlation between these varices and nitrogen compounds (i.e., ammonia, urea and nitric oxide) in blood and saliva. STUDY DESIGN: This is a case-control observational study of 52 patients with cirrhosis and 52 normoreactive individuals, aimed at assessing the presence (degrees 0 and 1) and severity (mild, moderate, and severe) of sublingual varices. Medical records of the patients with cirrhosis, including complications of cirrhosis, were also obtained. Blood and saliva were collected to evaluate the presence of nitrogen compounds by means of automated enzymatic colorimetric assays. RESULTS: The cirrhosis group had a higher prevalence (n = 39; 75%) compared with controls (n = 22; 42.3%) as well as higher severity (moderate n = 12 [23.1%]; and severe n = 16 [30.0%]) (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). Of the 39 patients with cirrhosis and sublingual varices, 84.6% had gastroesophageal varices. No correlations were found between the presence/severity of sublingual varices and cirrhotic complications/nitrogen compounds. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severity of varices were higher in the cirrhosis group, but no correlations between the presence/severity of sublingual varices and nitrogen compounds were found.

Hospital Dentistry and Dental Care for Patients with Special Needs: Dental approach during COVID-19 Pandemic / Odontologia Hospitalar e Assistência Odontológica para Pacientes com Necessidades Especiais: Abordagem odontológica durante a Pandemia de COVID-19

Introduction: The COVID19 pandemic brought a new panorama for the realization of dental treatment for the general population due to the risk of cross infection in the dental office, aerosol formation and insertion of new personal protective equipment. Emergency and emergency dental criteria were defined to limit the flow of patients in the office in order to improve biosafety conditions among patients. Objective: to describe the dental procedures pertinent to outpatient special care or during hospitalization in the COVID19 pandemic, changes in care and implement biosecurity criteria. Basic procedures: The dental care of the special patient suffers changes, mainly referring to the difficulty of access to the offices, interruption of the conditioning process and difficulty to perform outpatient sedation and sedation with nitrous oxide. Dental care during hospitalization is essential in this patient due to prolonged time of tracheal oro intubation, traumatic oral lesions, preparation of specific oral care protocols, removal of mouth infectious and installation of mouth protectors. Conclusion: Change of care, inclusion of individual protection equipment and new knowledge about the COVID19 allows us to safely assist the patient with special needs both in the dental office and in hospital environment, providing quality of life, oral comfort and reducing oral infections during and after the pandemic. (AU)

Introdução: A pandemia por COVID19 trouxe um novo panorama para a realização do tratamento odontológico para a população em geral devido ao risco de infecção cruzada no consultório odontológico, formação de aerossóis e inserção de novos equipamentos de proteção individual. Critérios de emergência e urgência odontológicos foram definidos para limitar o fluxo de pacientes no consultório com o objetivo de melhoras as condições de biossegurança entre os pacientes. Objetivo: Citar os procedimentos odontológicos pertinentes ao atendimento de paciente com necessidades especiais em âmbito ambulatorial ou hospitalar durante a pandemia por COVID19, alterações nos fluxos de atendimentos e cuidados inerentes a assistência. Procedimentos básicos: O atendimento odontológico do paciente com necessidades especiais sofreu alterações, principalmente referente a dificuldade de acesso aos consultórios, interrupção do processo de condicionamento e dificuldade para a realização de sedação ambulatorial e sedação com óxido nitroso. A assistência odontológica durante a hospitalização por COVID19 é fundamental devido ao tempo prolongado de intubação oro traqueal - lesões orais traumáticas, elaboração de protocolos de cuidados bucais específicos, remoção de focos infecciosos bucais e instalação de protetores bucais. Conclusão: Mudanças nas rotinas de atendimento, inclusão de equipamentos de proteção individual e de novos conhecimentos sobre a COVID19 faz com que possamos atender com segurança o paciente com necessidades especiais tanto no consultório odontológico quando em ambiente hospitalar, proporcionando qualidade de vida, conforto oral e redução das infecções bucais durante e após a pandemia. (AU)

Regression of human immunodeficiency virus-associated oral Kaposi sarcoma with combined antiretroviral therapy: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasia in human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) patients for which the primary mode of management was chemotherapy. METHODS: We have presented the case of a newly diagnosed HIV+ male patient who was diagnosed with a pedunculated nodule in the anterior region of the hard palate, measuring 3.5 cm in diameter and with 2 months of evolution. RESULTS: Histopathological examination confirmed the clinical hypothesis of KS. Soon after the diagnosis, the patient started using combined antiretroviral therapy (Biovir and Kaletra), presenting a significant reduction of the lesion after 4 weeks. With 1.5 cm in diameter, the lesion was surgically removed. The patient was followed-up for 10 years without any recurrence. CONCLUSION: In antiretroviral-naive patients with a well-preserved immune system, the use of cART may be efficient in reducing the progression of the KS lesions, thus avoiding the use of chemotherapeutic agents.

Treatment of drooling with scopolamine in pediatric ICU: A case series report.

Drooling is a condition that affects patients with difficulties in swallowing, being common in patients with mental, neurological or dysphagic deficiency. This condition is difficult to diagnose, as it is often confused with sialorrhea, and in many cases we have a hyposalivation scenario. Its diagnosis is subjective, which is why scales should be used for the standardization of the evaluation of the degree of drooling before and after the proposed treatment, as the Thomas-Stonell and Greenberg scale. It causes problems such as perioral infections, rashes, wet clothing, leading to social embarrassment, and may be a risk factor for respiratory infections caused by asymptomatic aspiration of saliva. It presents several treatments, among them the pharmacological one, that is dependent of the clinical picture of each patient that must be evaluated daily. This article refers to a series of reports of cases of children in mechanical ventilation by tracheostomy, hospitalized, with clinical diagnosis of drooling, and clinical improvement with the use of scopolamine by gastrostomy, without intercurrences during its use. The objective of this study is to show other professionals the importance of drooling management, and to expose the adopted behavior in the described cases, providing reduction of respiratory infections and improvement of the clinical and social complications resulting from drooling.

Diagnosis of Oral Hairy Leukoplakia: The Importance of EBV In Situ Hybridization.

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which has been related to HIV infection. In situ hybridization (ISH) is the gold-standard diagnosis of OHL, but some authors believe in the possibility of performing the diagnosis based on clinical basis. The aim of this study is diagnose incipient lesions of OHL by EBV ISH of HIV-infected patients and the possible correlations with clinical characteristics of the patients. Ninety-four patients were examined and those presenting with clinical lesions compatible to OHL were submitted to biopsy prior to EBV ISH. Twenty-eight patients had lesions clinically compatible to the diagnosis of OHL, but only 20 lesions were confirmed by EBV ISH. The patients with OHL had a mean age of 41.9 years and were HIV-infected for 11.2 years, on average, including CD4 count of 504.7 cells/mm3 and log10 viral load = 1.1. Among the quantitative variables, there was a statistically significant correlation with age only (P = 0.030). In conclusion, the presence of OHL in patients with HIV/AIDS results in changes in the epidemiological characteristics of the disease, and this fact allied with subtle clinical-morphological features makes clinical diagnosis very difficult. Therefore, EBV ISH is important for a definitive diagnosis of OHL.