Anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the palate: A case report.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a very rare subtype of T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Similar to other types of NHL, ALCL primarily involves the nodal areas and sometimes it can involve several extranodal sites such as skin, lung and soft tissue. Primary oral involvement of systemic ALCL is very rare. We report a 55-year-old Thai female with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative ALCL primarily occurring at the hard palate. The patient was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mahidol University, complaining of a swelling on her left palate. An incisional biopsy was performed and revealed a diffuse infiltration of large pleomorphic cells with prominent nuclei and sometimes eccentric horseshoe-shaped nuclei. The tumor cells showed a positivity for CD30, CD2, CD4, CD43 and EMA. A few tumor cells were positive to CD45 and CD3. They were negative for CD5, CD8, CD20, AE1/AE3, HMB45, ALK, TCRαß, TCRγδ, and EBER. The patient reported a decrease in lesionsize after two courses of chemotherapy. However, approximately six months after beginning chemotherapy the tumor metastasized to the nasal cavities and brain. This case represented another rare systemic ALK-negative ALCL case primarily involving the oral cavity.

Maxillary molar root protrusion into the maxillary sinus: a comparison of cone beam computed tomography and panoramic findings.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of molar roots protruding into the maxillary sinus and to determine the panoramic radiographic signs as correlated with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images of 354 roots were assessed and classified into three types, according to the relationship between the root and maxillary sinus. The prevalence of root protrusion into the maxillary sinus was calculated then the panoramic images assessed. After excluding some unidentified roots on the panoramic images, 200 were investigated for panoramic signs, including (i) projection of the root apex into the sinus cavity, (ii) interruption of the maxillary sinus floor's cortex, (iii) absence of periodontal ligament space, (iv) darkening of the involved root region, and (v) upward curving of the sinus floor. The respective correlation between the panoramic signs and CBCT types was assessed. Forty-six percent of roots showed protrusion into the sinus with the palatal root of the first molar having the greatest prevalence (33/200 roots). The panoramic signs 'projection of the root apex in the sinus cavity' and 'darkening of the involved root apical region' both strongly indicated root protrusion into the maxillary sinus (P<0.05).

Dexamethasone injection into the pterygomandibular space in lower third molar surgery.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8mg dexamethasone injection into the pterygomandibular space on the postoperative sequelae of lower third molar surgery. A prospective, randomized, controlled, split-mouth study was designed involving 62 lower third molar extractions (31 patients). Prior to surgery, the study group received 2ml of 4mg/ml (8mg) dexamethasone injection through the pterygomandibular space following local anaesthesia; the control group received 2ml normal saline injection. Facial swelling, mouth opening, pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the number of analgesics consumed were assessed. Descriptive statistics and the independent-samples t-test were used to compare the two groups at P<0.05. There was a significant reduction in swelling on day 2 postoperative in the dexamethasone group. Mouth opening was also significantly greater on day 2 in the dexamethasone group. The VAS pain score was significantly lower on the day of the operation and first postoperative day in the dexamethasone group, but did not differ significantly between the groups on the other postoperative days. The injection of 8mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space was effective in reducing postoperative swelling, limited mouth opening, and pain following impacted lower third molar extraction.

Comparative study of the novel and conventional injection approach for inferior alveolar nerve block.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anesthesia obtained with a novel injection approach for inferior alveolar nerve block compared with the conventional injection approach. 40 patients in good health, randomly received each of two injection approaches of local anesthetic on each side of the mandible at two separate appointments. A sharp probe and an electric pulp tester were used to test anesthesia before injection, after injection when the patients' sensation changed, and 5 min after injection. This study comprised positive aspiration and intravascular injection 5% and neurovascular bundle injection 7.5% in the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block, but without occurrence in the novel injection approach. A visual analog scale (VAS) pain assessment was used during injection and surgery. The significance level used in the statistical analysis was p<0.05. For the novel injection approach compared with the conventional injection approach, no significant difference was found on the subjective onset, objective onset, operation time, duration of anesthesia and VAS pain score during operation, but the VAS pain score during injection was significantly different. The efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block by the novel injection approach provided adequate anesthesia and caused less pain and greater safety during injection.

Comparative study of the effect of dexamethasone injection and consumption in lower third molar surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intramuscular (IM) injection and consumption of 8 mg dexamethasone in patients after lower third molar (LTM) surgery. 20 healthy Thai patients, average age 20 years, with bilateral LTM removal were recruited for this study, a double blinded, paired sample clinical trial. The washout period was 1 month after the first operation. Clinical assessment of facial swelling, pain and maximum mouth opening were measured before and after operation for 7 days. No significant difference was found in facial swelling between IM injection and consumption of 8 mg dexamethasone after LTM surgery (paired t test P>0.05). The visual analogue scale scores for pain assessment showed no significant difference between IM injection and consumption of dexamethasone (paired t test P>0.05). The results conclude that IM injection or consumption of dexamethasone after LTM surgery can be used to control facial swelling, pain and trismus.