Metastatic tumors to the jaws and oral cavity.

Cancer is a disease involving complex multiple sequential irreversible dysregulated processes showing metastasis that results in morbidity and mortality. Metastasis is a complex biological course that begins with detachment of tumor cells from the primary tumor, spreading into the distant tissues and/or organs, invading through the lymphovascular structures followed by their survival in the circulation. Metastatic tumors to the oro-facial region are uncommon and may occur in the oral soft tissues or jawbones. The clinical presentation of metastatic tumors can be variable, which may lead to erroneous diagnosis or may create diagnostic dilemma. Therefore, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory and reactive lesions that are common to the oral region. Most of the literature on oral metastases involves either single case reports or reviews of these reported cases from scattered geographical areas. Hence this present article is an attempt to provide a detailed review of pathogenesis, epidemiological details including clinical and radiographic presentations, microscopic features and treatment of metastatic tumors to the jaws and oral cavity.

Tooth in oropharynx.

The incidence of ectopic teeth has increased. In many cases, the etiology of ectopic teeth cannot be identified. Ectopic tooth in deciduous dentition period is very rare and information is limited about its causes and characteristics. The conditions commonly associated with an increased prevalence of ectopic teeth include cleft lip and palate, cleidocranial dysplasia, and Gardner syndrome. The diagnosis is made by the clinical and radiological examinations. The indication for extraction in ectopic teeth cases is in general determined by the presence of symptomatology, or by the need for preventing future complications. We present a case of an ectopic maxillary tooth in a 4 year-old boy. In addition, this report also addresses a young patient with a tooth in the oropharynx with the objective of non traumatic etiology, and such a clinical presentation is extremely rare. The authors believe the case presented here is the first documented case of an ectopic supernumerary tooth seen in the oropharynx.

Immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2 in benign andmalignant salivary gland tumors

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the immunohistochemical expression ofBcl-2 in selected benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.Study Design: A total of 50 cases of buffered formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues of previously diagnosedcases of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors from the archives of Department of Oral and MaxillofacialPathology and Microbiology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India, were taken for thestudy. The immunohistochemical staining procedure was performed using monoclonal anti Bcl-2 antibody, asdirected by the manufacturer.Results: Thirty six cases (72%) out of 50 cases showed a positive expression for Bcl-2. Benign salivary glandtumors showed a positive expression in 8 out of 14 cases (~57%) and malignant salivary gland tumors in 28 outof 36 cases (~78%). The staining was intense in the normal lymph node, which is used as a positive control. Bcl-2expression was seen in both benign and in malignant salivary gland tumors taken for the study except in “canalicularadenoma”.Conclusion: The immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2 was greater and more intense in malignant salivarygland neoplasms, suggesting a high survival rate of tumor cells in malignant neoplasms (AU)

Bilateral fusion of primary mandibular lateral incisors and canines: A report of a rare case / Fusão bilateral de dentes decíduos incisivo e canino inferior: relato de um caso raro

Purpose: Synodontia or fusion is a developmental anomaly of shape of tooth formed by union of two independently developing primary or secondary teeth. Prevalence of tooth fusion is estimated at 0.5-2.5% in the primary dentition and less in permanent dentition. The bilateral type of fusion in the primary dentition is rare and is about 0.02%. This paper describes a rare case of bilateral fusion of primary mandibular lateral and canine teeth. Case description: An 8 year old girl had a complaint of unusually large sized teeth in her mandible. After physical examination and use of periapical radiographs and study models bilateral fused teeth in the mandibular lateral incisor and canine region was diagnosed. Conclusion: The bilateral fusion of primary mandibular lateral and canine teeth is a rare condition and should be carefully evaluated to diagnose any associated pathology.

Objetivo: Sinodontia ou fusão é uma anomalia de desenvolvimento da forma do dente formado pela união de dois dentes decíduos ou permanentes em desenvolvimento de forma independente. A prevalência de fusão dental é estimada em 0,5 a 2,5% na dentadura decídua e menor na permanente. O tipo de fusão bilateral na dentadura decídua é rara e aproximadamente de 0,02%. Este artigo descreve um caso raro de fusão bilateral de dentes decíduos incisivos laterais e caninos inferiores. Descrição do caso: Uma menina de 8 anos de idade tinha uma queixa clínica de dentes de tamanho grande anormal em sua mandíbula. Após exame físico e uso de radiografias periapicais e modelo de estudo, a fusão bilateral de dentes decíduos incisivos laterais e caninos inferiores foi diagnosticada. Conclusão: A fusão bilateral de dentes decíduos incisivos laterais e caninos na mandíbula é uma condição rara e deve ser cuidadosamente avaliada para diagnosticar quaisquer patologias associadas.