Histopathological and histomorphometric analysis of glandular odontogenic cyst-A diagnostic aid.

OBJECTIVES: Compare recognized microscopic parameters, including variations in width, plaque-like thickenings, intra-epithelial microcysts, clefts, mucous, hob-nail, ciliated and clear cells, between glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) and GOC-like cysts, investigate the extent of cyst circumference exhibiting these features, and inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival records of cysts with histological features of GOC evaluated between 2000 and2020 were retrieved. Slides were revised, and the expression of features throughout the cyst wall was analyzed. Cysts with at least 5 features were classified as GOC, cysts with 3-4 features as GOC-like. RESULTS: The study included 74 cysts, 47 males M, 25 females (2 unknown gender), aged 19-81 years, 62 (83.8%) GOC, 12 (16.2%) GOC-like. Mandible was involved in 44 (59.5%), maxilla in 30 (40.5%), 18 (25%) were associated with unerupted teeth. Cyst classified as GOC had significantly higher rates of all parameters investigated, (except ciliated and clear cells), than GOC-like cysts (p ≤ 0.05). 26 (40.6%) cases showed GOC features in >50% of cyst circumference, 21 (32.8%) involved 25-50%, 17 (26.6%) <25%. More than 50% circumference involvement was highly and independently predictive for a diagnosis of GOC, <25% was highly and independently predictive for GOC-like (p = 0.003). Hobnail cells (p = 0.008) and plaque-like thickenings (p = 0.038) were significantly more frequent in inflamed cysts. CONCLUSION: Besides the number and type of histological features, GOC can be characterized by their distribution within the cyst circumference (focal Vs diffuse), and it may serve as a new diagnostic aid. It is suggested that GOC and GOC-like may represent a single spectrum.

The effect of post-COVID-19 on gustatory and olfactory function: A preliminary case-controlled study.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyze objective and subjective olfactory/gustatory function in post-COVID-19 infection (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with past PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection and persistent olfactory/gustatory complaints were investigated. Olfactory threshold and identification, gustatory detection, identification, and magnitude scaling were tested. RESULTS: A total of 42 PCI subjects were compared to 41 age- and gender-matched controls with no COVID-19 history. All PCI tested had mild COVID-19 disease. Mean interval between COVID-19 confirmations to testing was 7.4 ± 3.1 months. PCI subjects complained of combined dysfunction in 85.7%, isolated olfactory or gustatory dysfunction in 7.1% each. Combined complaints were significantly higher in PCI (p < 0.001). Objective testing showed significantly higher prevalence of dysfunction in PCI versus controls for hyposmia (73.8%, 12.2%), anosmia (11.9%, 0%), odor identification (68.5%, 83.0%), hypogeusia (23% and 2.4%, respectively), and impaired magnitude scaling, (p < 0.05). All PCI subjects with hypogeusia had abnormal gustatory magnitude scaling. CONCLUSIONS: While most PCI subjects complained of combined gustatory and olfactory dysfunction, objective testing showed in the majority an isolated single sense dysfunction, with a low level of agreement between subjective and objective findings. Abnormal objective results for all olfactory and gustatory functions tested may suggest a central rather than peripheral mechanism, although concomitant mechanisms cannot be excluded.

Acinar Atrophy, Fibrosis and Fatty Changes Are Significantly More Common than Sjogren's Syndrome in Minor Salivary Gland Biopsies.

Background and Objective: Hyposalivation and xerostomia can result from a variety of conditions. Diagnosis is based on a combination of medical history, clinical and serological parameters, imaging, and minor salivary gland biopsy when indicated. The Objective was to characterize microscopic changes in minor salivary gland biopsies taken in patients with xerostomia. Materials and Methods: 10-year retrospective analysis of minor salivary gland biopsies, 2007-2017. Histomorphometric analysis included gland architecture, fibrosis, fat replacement, inflammation and stains for IgG/IgG4, when relevant. Results: 64 consecutive biopsies, of which 54 had sufficient tissue for diagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) were included (18 males, 46 females, average age 56 (±12.5) years). Only 12 (22.2%) were microscopically consistent with SS, none stained for IgG4. Medical conditions were recorded in 40 (63%), most frequently hypertension and hyperlipidemia (28% each). Medications were used by 45 (70%), of which in 50% more than one. Xerostomia in non-SS cases was supported by abnormal gland morphology, including acinar atrophy, fibrosis and fatty replacement. All morphological abnormalities are correlated with age, while fatty replacement correlated with abnormal lipid metabolism. Multiple medications correlated with microscopic features which did not correspond with SS. Conclusions: SS was confirmed in a minority of cases, while in the majority fatty replacement, fibrosis and multiple medications can explain xerostomia, and are related to aging and medical conditions. Medical history and auxiliary tests could lead to correct diagnosis in non-SS patients, avoiding biopsy. The necessity of a diagnostic biopsy should be given serious consideration only after all other diagnostic modalities have been employed.

Oral Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A Retrospective Clinico-Pathological Study and Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: This was a retrospective single-center study to analyze and describe the clinical and histological features of all cases of oral solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). Study design: the study included all consecutive cases of oral SFT diagnosed between 2008-2018 at a single tertiary center. Materials and Methods: Clinical data was retrieved from medical charts. The diagnosis of oral SFT was based upon the morphologic features of the lesions, in routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections and confirmed by immunohistochemical analyses including CD34, CD99, Bcl2, and stains for STAT6. Results: Seven cases of oral SFT were found. Of these, three (42%) were in males and four (58%) in females. The age range was 24-63 years (mean 47 ± 13). Four (58%) lesions were located in the buccal mucosa, two (28%) in the labial mucosa and one (14%) on the floor of the mouth. The diameter ranged between 3-50 mm (mean 22 ± 14 mm). All patients were treated with local excision. Follow-up periods were between 2-74 months (mean 41 ± 27). No recurrences were reported. Conclusions: We present a series of oral SFT, which were all non-aggressive in presentation and did not recur after conservative surgery (local excision) over a relatively long follow-up period.

Retrospective Clinicopathological Analysis of 65 Peri-Implant Lesions.

Background and Objectives: Peri-implantitis is a common finding among patients with dental implants. There is no consensus regarding the treatment of this disease, but in many cases, surgical treatment is common practice. A histopathological analysis is not an integral part of suggested protocols. The present study investigated the clinical and histopathological parameters of lesions mimicking peri-implantitis and correlated them with the outcome and follow-up data. Materials and Methods: The study included 65 consecutive biopsies taken from peri-implantitis patients between 2008-2019. Results: The three common diagnoses were fibro-epithelial hyperplasia 20 (30.7%), pyogenic granuloma 16 (24.6%), and peripheral giant cell granuloma 15 (23%). There were 18 cases of recurrent lesions in the study group (27.7%). The recurrence rate was the highest in peripheral giant cell granuloma (8, 12.3%), versus 6% in pyogenic granuloma and fibro-epithelial hyperplasia. These differences in the recurrence rate were statistically significant (p = 0.014). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the necessity of submitting tissue of peri-implantitis cases for histopathological analysis since the more locally aggressive lesions (peripheral giant cell granuloma and pyogenic granuloma), which comprise nearly half of the cases in this study, do not differ in clinical or radiographic characteristics from other peri-implant lesions.

Angiolipoma in the Head and Neck: Imaging, Diagnosis and Management.

Angiolipoma, distinguishable from other lipomas by its excessive degree of vascular vessels, are rare in the head and neck and require unique management. A slow growing mass, located underneath the inferior border of the right mandibular angle of a 51-year-old female, was excised under general anesthesia. Unexpected excessive bleeding during the excision was observed and the histological specimen was diagnosed as angiolipoma. As shown in this case report, pre-operative imaging modalities have a crucial influence and are sufficient to diagnose and manage angiolipomas. The "Gold standard" treatment is excision with clear margins and bleeding management should be taken into account according to appropriate differential diagnosis.

Non-Autogenous Innovative Reconstruction Method Following Mandibulectomy.

BACKGROUND: Plexiform ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumor, rare in the anterior mandible. The treatment of choice is resection with 1-3 cm free margins. In most of reported cases, the affected mandible is reconstructed by autogenic bone graft or osseocutaneous microvascular free flap in order to return function and esthetics. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2 cm diameter exophytic ameloblastoma, located in the anterior mandible of a 50-year-old male was resected and reconstructed in a unique manner-allogenic bone block, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) and xenograft particles via transcutaneous submental approach. After bone maturation, dental implants were placed and restored by fixed prosthetics. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mandible reconstruction modalities have a crucial influence on patient quality of life, function and esthetics. Allogenic bone block combined with rhBMP and xenograft particles can replace the traditional autogenous bone in certain circumstances. A submental transcutaneous "tent pole" approach can improve the success rate of the reconstruction procedure.

The Spectrum of Oral Lesions Presenting Clinically With Papillary-Verrucous Features.

PURPOSE: We sought to study the spectrum of oral pathologies presenting clinically with papillary-verrucous features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 10-year (2007 to 2016) retrospective study of oral papillary lesions was undertaken. All biopsy reports that included a clinical description of papillary or verrucous architecture were retrieved. The data collected included clinical features, size, color, location, histopathologic diagnosis, age, and gender. RESULTS: The study included 137 patients, with a total of 150 lesions. The ages ranged from 10 weeks to 84 years (mean, 49 years). Histopathologically, 60% of cases were human papillomavirus (HPV) related, 19% showed hyperplasia, 11% had hyperplastic candidiasis, 7% were dysplastic or malignant, and 3% were benign of unknown etiology. Among the 7% of lesions diagnosed with dysplasia or malignancy, only 60% were suspected to have malignancy at the time of biopsy. HPV-related lesions and hyperplasia were most frequently found on the tongue (38% and 41%, respectively) and soft palate (21% and 14%, respectively). Hyperplastic candidiasis was most frequently found on the buccal mucosa and tongue (35% and 24%, respectively). Squamous cell carcinoma was found in 1.3% of total lesions and verrucous carcinoma in 1.3%. Of the verrucous or papillary malignant lesions, 50% were found on the gingiva. Most malignant lesions occurred in the 40- to 60-year age group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that, because of the wide spectrum of entities presenting clinically with a papillary-verrucous architecture, biopsy is necessary for diagnosis. The clinical presentation allowed for overall accurate diagnosis in only 47% of cases and 60% accuracy in dysplastic or malignant cases. It is of considerable importance to correctly identify those lesions that are HPV related but at the same time to rule out those lesions that are unrelated to HPV to help alleviate a patient's anxiety. Most important, biopsy is mandatory for the recognition of malignant lesions with a papillary-verrucous architecture, which may mimic other benign entities in the group of papillary-verrucous lesions.

Can Differences in Vascularity Serve as a Diagnostic Aid in Fibro-Osseous Lesions of the Jaws?

PURPOSE: Different lesions in the fibro-osseous group share microscopic features; thus, establishing a definitive diagnosis based on microscopic features alone can be a challenge. There is a need for additional microscopic tools to aid in differentiating these lesions. This study compared parameters related to vascularity among 3 lesions in the fibro-osseous group: fibrous dysplasia (FD), central ossifying fibroma (COF), and cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of biopsied lesions retrieved from 3 medical centers over a 14-year period. The primary predictor variables were the vascularity parameters (number, perimeter, and area). The outcome variables were diagnoses of FD, COF, and COD. Diagnosis was based on clinical, microscopic, and radiologic correlations. From each histopathologic slide, 5 representative fields were captured with a computerized digital camera. The number of blood vessels was counted, and the surface area and vascular perimeter were measured by tracing the perimeter of each vessel. Data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance with logarithmic transformation and a Tukey adjustment. RESULTS: Sixty-six cases were included in the study (26 in FD group, 26 in COF group, and 14 in COD group). The mean number of vessels showed only a tendency to be larger in the FD group compared with the COF and COD groups (5.4 ± 2.6, 3.7 ± 2.3, and 3.6 ± 1.7, respectively), but the results did not reach the threshold for significance. The mean vascular perimeter was 1,385.8 ± 859.2 pixels in the FD group and 742.6 ± 661.8 in COF group after logarithmic transformation (P = .012). The perimeter in the COD group was smaller (941.1 ± 502) compared with that in the FD group, but the difference did not reach the threshold for significance. The mean area was 25,061 ± 24,875.6 in the FD group and 11,773.8 ± 21,734.4 in the COF group after logarithmic transformation (P = .004). The perimeter in the COD group was smaller (13,011.1 ± 8,338.3) compared with the FD group, but the difference did not reach the threshold for significance. CONCLUSION: The vascular content of the FD group was markedly higher than of the COF group. These vascular changes can aid in differentiating these lesions microscopically.

Primary Oral Malignancy Imitating Peri-Implantitis.

PURPOSE: To describe new cases of primary malignancy arising around dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients presented with asymptomatic lesions around longstanding dental implants that resembled peri-implantitis. One case was primary large B-cell lymphoma and the remaining cases were primary squamous cell carcinoma in patients with oral lichen planus. The literature was reviewed for cases mimicking peri-implantitis. RESULTS: Of 42 implant-associated malignancies reported from 2000 through 2014, 85.7% were squamous cell carcinoma (69% primary and 9.4% metastatic). Most patients presented with pre-existing risk factors for oral cancer. Lymphoma was not associated with dental implants. CONCLUSIONS: Primary and metastatic malignancies can occur in peri-implant mucosa, often with clinical and radiographic features resembling peri-implantitis. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for changes in peri-implant mucosa in patients with existing risk factors; however, rare cases such as lymphoma might present outside this risk population. Histopathologic analysis should be included in the management of selected peri-implant lesions to avoid delayed diagnosis of malignancy.

Decompression as a treatment of odontogenic cystic lesions in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of decompression in treating odontogenic cystic lesions of the jaws in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive odontogenic cysts occurring in children and treated by decompression from 1994 to 2009 at 1 maxillofacial center were included in the present study. Clinical data included age, gender, jaw, histopathologic diagnosis, and decompression time. Radiologic data from panoramic radiographs before and after decompression included tooth involvement, locularity, location, involvement of adjacent vital anatomic structures, and cyst area. RESULTS: Thirty-two odontogenic cystic lesions from 26 children (14 boys [53.8%] and 12 girls [46.2%]) treated with decompression were included. The average age at the time of presentation was 11.6 ± 3.3 years (range, 7 to 18 yr). The mandible was involved in 13 cases (40.6%) and the maxilla in 19 (59.4%). All cysts were unilocular at presentation. Twenty-seven cysts (84.4%) showed tooth involvement. The diagnoses consisted of dentigerous cysts (20 [62.5%]), keratocysts (9 [28.1%]), and radicular cysts (3 [9.4%]). The mean decompression period was 7.45 ± 2.6 months (2 to 14 months). The mean standard lesion area index changed from 12.7 ± 0.9 mm(2) (3.6 to 44 mm(2)) before compression to 2.3 ± 4.3 mm(2) (0 to 22.3 mm(2)) after decompression. The mean percentage of reduction (POR) was 82 ± 16% (49 to 100%). The POR was ranked as good in 22 lesions (69%), moderate in 9 lesions (28%), and poor in 1 lesion (3%). Surgery was performed for 15 lesions (47%). CONCLUSION: Decompression results in good regeneration potential of the bone in the developing craniofacial skeleton of children. Children might benefit from a less invasive surgical protocol.

The clinical characteristics of benign oral mucosal tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and pre- biopsy provisional diagnoses of benign oral mucosal tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10- year retrospective analysis of all benign tumors of the oral mucosa, from a university- affiliated oral and maxillofacial surgery department. RESULTS: 146 benign tumors were included. The mean age was 49.6 years, with an approximately equal gender distribution. The most prevalent tumor types were lipomatous tumors (27.4%), vascular (23.3%), and salivary gland tumors (16.5%). Tongue, labial and buccal mucosa were the most frequently involved sites. The vast majority (98.6%) presented as non-ulcerated masses. Only 2 (1.4%) presented as ulcerated masses. The clinical provisional diagnosis correctly classified lesions as non-malignant in 93.3%. In only 9 (6.7%) suspicion of malignancy was included in the provisional diagnosis. However, benignneoplasia was unsuspected in 42.1% of tumors. These cases were clinically classified as reactive. CONCLUSION: Benign tumors were most likely to be clinically correctly classified as non-malignant, but even in the setting of experienced oral surgeons, neoplasia was unsuspected in more than 40% of cases. This data strongly supports the need to biopsy every oral mucosal mass, since inaccurate clinical evaluation of the lesion's biological nature was a frequent event.

Pathological changes in oral epithelium and the expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors, ACE2 and furin.

BACKGROUND: Expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 and co-factors like furin, play key-roles in entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Furin is also involved in oral carcinogenesis. We investigated their expression in oral pre-malignant/malignant epithelial pathologies to evaluate whether ACE2 and furin expression might increase susceptibility of patients with these lesions for SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Study included normal oral mucosa (N = 14), epithelial hyperplasia-mild dysplasia (N = 27), moderate-to-severe dysplasia (N = 24), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, N = 34) and oral lichen planus (N = 51). Evaluation of ACE2/furin membranous/membranous-cytoplasmic immunohistochemical expression was divided by epithelial thirds (basal/middle/upper), on a 5-tier scale (0, 1-weak, 1.5 -weak-to-moderate, 2-moderate, 3-strong). Total score per case was the sum of all epithelial thirds, and the mean staining score per group was calculated. Real time-polymerase chain reaction was performed for ACE2-RNA. Statistical differences were analyzed by One-way ANOVA, significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: All oral mucosa samples were negative for ACE2 immuno-expression and its transcripts. Overall, furin expression was weakly present with total mean expression being higher in moderate-to-severe dysplasia and hyperplasia-mild dysplasia than in normal epithelium (p = 0.01, each) and SCC (p = 0.008, p = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oral mucosa, normal or with epithelial pathologies lacked ACE2 expression. Furin was weak and mainly expressed in dysplastic lesions. Thus, patients with epithelial pathologies do not seem to be at higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, results show that oral mucosae do not seem to be a major site of SARS-CoV-2 entry and these were discussed vis-à-vis a comprehensive analysis of the literature.

Re-evaluation of common paradigms regarding the clinical appearance of oral mucosal malignancies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical appearance and rate of ulceration of oral mucosal malignancies, and to investigate the accuracy of clinical provisional diagnoses. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective analysis, which included diagnostic biopsies of malignant tumors of the oral mucosa. The clinical provisional diagnoses were compared with final diagnoses. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven oral mucosal malignant tumors were included. Squamous cell carcinoma and its variants accounted for the majority (78%) of all malignant tumors. The most common clinical presentations were non-ulcerated (59.7%) and ulcerated masses (20.4%). Only 11.9% presented as indurate ulcers. The highest ulceration rate of all malignancies was recorded for SCC, with only about half of SCC and its variants ulcerated at the time of biopsy. 31.1% of all malignancies were not clinically suspected to be malignant and did not even include a request to rule out malignancy. There was a better agreement between the clinical provisional diagnoses and microscopic diagnoses in the SCC group than in other types of malignancy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Within this study sample, non-ulcerated masses rather than indurate ulcers are the most common clinical appearance of oral mucosal malignancies, and even for SCC, that showed the highest ulceration rate at presentation, half were non-ulcerated. Approximately, one-third of oral mucosal malignancies were not suspected to be malignant prior to biopsy. Thus, the level of suspicion currently reserved for mucosal ulcers and ulcerated masses should also be applied to non-ulcerated oral mucosal masses.

Jaws features in Type 1 Gaucher disease.

PURPOSE: Our aims were to present 2 new cases of Gaucher disease involving the jaws and to review the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two new cases and the literature from 1982-2011 were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten articles describing 35 cases (for a total of 37 with 2 new cases presented) were analyzed. The mandible and maxilla were affected in 97.3% and 24.3% of the reported cases, respectively. Generalized rarefaction of bone (osteopenia) was present in 83.8%, and well-defined radiolucent lesions in 40.5%. The effects on the surrounding structures included loss of cortication of the mandibular canal (56.7%), cortical bone thinning (27%), expansion, root resorption (24.3%), mandibular canal displacement (18.9%), cortical perforation, maxillary sinus obliteration, and tooth displacement (10.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Two distinct bone abnormalities with separate pathophysiologies, radiographic presentation, and effects on the surrounding structures are suggested: 1) generalized mandibular/maxillary osteopenia and 2) a well-defined radiolucent lesion, which appears only in the mandible. This review refutes 2 accepted assumptions; according to the results, 1) the most common manifestation is generalized osteopenia (and the resulting mandibular canal changes), whereas the well-defined radiolucent lesion is the next most common, and 2) cortical bone thinning/perforations and lamina dura thinning are not uncommon in these patients.

The profile of chronic hyperplastic candidiasis: a clinico-pathological study.

The aims of this study were investigation of clinical presentation, systemic factors, and long-term malignant transformation rate in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis versus leukoplakia. This is a retrospective case-controlled study of cases with chronic hyperplastic candidiasis and leukoplakia without dysplasia, diagnosed between 2000 and 2013. A database was created, and all additional biopsies from the same cases were searched up to 2022, for records of oral malignant transformation. Associations between microscopic diagnoses and clinical features of lesions and clinical outcomes of patients were performed. A study database included 116 patients, allocated to the group diagnosed with chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC-group, 62) and to the group of leukoplakia without dysplasia (LKP-group, 54). Tongue and buccal mucosa were most frequently recorded in both groups. In CHC-group, significantly fewer cases presented as white lesions compared to LKP-group (P < 0.001); more were ulcerated or exophytic (P = 0.006 and P = 0.003, respectively). History of head and neck malignancy was significantly more frequent in CHC-group (P = 0.005), as were chemotherapy, (P = 0.019) radiotherapy (P = 0.0265), and immune-related conditions (P = 0.03). Within the follow-up period (2000-2022), in CHC-group, two cases (3.2%) had malignant transformation at the site of original biopsy, one was recurrence of previous carcinoma. In LKP-group, two cases (3.7%) had newly diagnosed carcinoma and one at the site of original biopsy; no significant differences were found between groups. In conclusion, medical background of immune-related conditions, head and neck malignancy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy may play a role in predisposing for chronic hyperplastic candidiasis. Malignant transformation rate within CHC-group was low, and similar to that within LKP-group, representing a lower transformation rate than expected.

Oral neurovascular hamartoma: a lesion searching for a name.

BACKGROUND: Neurovascular hamartoma (NVH), in particular in the oral cavity, is rarely described in the literature. The low number of cases may reflect a genuine rarity of the lesion, or it may be due to its being unrecognized and/or under-reported. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical and microscopic features of oral NVH and to define microscopic diagnostic criteria with emphasis on the differential diagnosis. METHODS: Archival cases diagnosed as oral NVH between 1999 and 2011 were retrieved; clinical and demographic data were collected, and a paired morphometric analysis was conducted, with each case of NVH a case of fibrous hyperplasia (FH) from the same oral location. The nerve bundle and blood vessel density were quantified in five microscopic fields at ×100 magnification. RESULTS: The study group included 25 oral NVH, 11 men and 14 women, aged 6-76 years, (mean 44). The majority occurred in the tongue (54%), followed by the buccal mucosa and lower lip (17% each), clinically presenting as asymptomatic 0.25-2.5 cm exophytic masses. Microscopic characteristics included poorly circumscribed masses of closely packed nerve bundles and blood vessels in a loose matrix, containing minimal or no inflammation. The mean nerve bundle density was significantly higher in NVH (4.28 ± 1.26) in comparison with FH (0.27 ± 0.27), (P < 0.00001), and mean vessel density was significantly lower (5.98 ± 1.4 vs. 7.8 ± 1.9, respectively), (P < 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Oral NVH may not be as rare as previously considered. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that NVH presents a separate distinct entity.

Peripheral giant cell granuloma associated with dental implants: Case-series.

PURPOSE: The objectives were to characterize clinico-pathologically a large series of peri-implant peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG), and investigate the role of foreign material as a possible etiological factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was retrospective, conducted on peri-implant specimens submitted for histology between 2005 and 2021. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-five peri-implant biopsies were retrieved, of which 52 (15.5%) were PGCG. The study population included 28 females and 24 males, age 35-92 years, mean 61. 51.2% reported bone involvement. The lesion involved the margins of the specimen in 65.3%, recurrence was reported in 46.1%. In 58.8% the implant was removed at the same time the specimen was submitted for histopathological analysis. Small foci of black granular foreign material were observed in 53.8% of cases of which 67.8% were birefringent under polarized light. The foreign material granules were not ingested inside multinucleated giant cells, but were scattered in the stromal compartment. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-implant PGCG is locally aggressive, with frequent bone involvement and high recurrence rate, resulting in implant loss in the majority of cases. The high recurrence rate may be related to conservative or inadequate surgery. Foreign material although common does not seem to have a role in its development.

Intra-oral Acantholytic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: 55 Cases. Is this Variant more Aggressive?

We aimed to collect and analyze available cases of intraoral acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (aSCC), that consisted of the authors' cases and cases derived from the existing literature, with an emphasis on the pathological staging and patient outcome. Our research question was whether aSCC is more aggressive than conventional SCC. The literature was searched for documented cases of aSCC involving the intra-oral mucosa, excluding those from the lips and tonsils, and seven new cases were added from our files. The authors compared the obtained aSCC data to existing data for conventional SCC. Fisher Exact or Pearson's χ2 tests were used for categorical variables. Fifty-five cases of intraoral aSCC were reviewed, of which 48 were retrieved from the literature. Analysis of the published cases was reinforced by contacting the authors of all the papers with incomplete data for further clarifications. The most common sites of aSCC were the tongue (24/55) and the maxilla/maxillary gingiva and/or palate (11/55). The overall survival rate was 36/53 (67.9%) with a mean follow-up period of 22 months against 62.5% for conventional SCC (p = 0.6). No statistically significant difference between the two variants of the tumor with respect to the oral cavity was detected. The differences in age, sex, survival rate, staging, and locations were not statistically significant. Based on the available data from 55 cases, there is no evidence to suggest that aSCC is more aggressive than conventional SCC in intraoral cases.

Unexpected Candidal Hyphae in Oral Mucosa Lesions-A Clinico-Pathological Study.

Background: Oral mucosal biopsies might harbor candidal hyphae (CH) in the absence of any clinical signs or symptoms. Aim: To assess oral mucosa biopsies for the frequency of unexpected CH and characterize their clinico-pathological features. Materials and Methods: All biopsy reports (2004−2019) were searched using CH/candida/candidiasis as key words. Cases with clinical diagnosis of oral candidiasis (OC) were excluded. Demographic data, health status, smoking habits, clinical features and diagnoses were collected. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test; significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of all the biopsies, 100 (1.05%) reported microscopical evidence of CH without typical clinical signs/symptoms of OC. Fifteen cases were from healthy, non-smoking patients. CH was common on buccal mucosa (38%) and lateral tongue (23%). The tip of tongue (OR = 54.5, 95% CI 9.02−329.4, p < 0.001) and lateral tongue (OR = 3.83, 95% CI 2.4−6.09, p < 0.001) were more likely to harbor CH-positive lesions. CH-positive lesions were diagnosed as epithelial hyperplasia (55%) and exophytic reactive lesions (30%). No correlation was found between CH and the grade of epithelial dysplasia. Conclusions: Microscopic evidence of CH embedded into oral epithelium without typical signs/symptoms of OC is rare, especially in healthy, non-smokers. Since CH was occasionally found in oral sites prone to local trauma and in association with reactive lesions, in absence of host co-morbidities, the contribution of local mechanical forces to CH embedment cannot be ruled out.