Bleeding and thromboembolic risk in patients under anticoagulant therapy receiving oral surgery: a systematic review.

Background and aims: There is an increasing number of patients with cardiovascular diseases who require anticoagulant treatment to address the underlying disease. Types of anticoagulants include vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin and coumarin derivatives, and also newer oral anticoagulants, including rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran. The use of these anticoagulants may impact the condition of patients undergoing oral surgery. If the treatment is discontinued, the patient may be at risk of thrombosis. On the other hand, if the treatment is continued, the patient may experience a postoperative bleeding episode, placing them at risk of both thrombosis and bleeding. Method: The present article systematically reviews two different therapeutic regimens and their influence on hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events. The review included research from three databases and four specialized journals. The regimens examined were continuous versus discontinuous anticoagulant treatment and continuous versus interruption and switch to bridging therapy. Results: The most common surgical procedure examined in the review was tooth extraction, with a few studies also including soft tissue procedures. A total of seven eligible articles were identified, with five using the first treatment regimen of continuous versus discontinuous anticoagulant. These studies reported several cases of bleeding under continuous anticoagulant treatment during surgery. Two articles used the second treatment regimen of continuous versus interruption and switch to bridging therapy. Conclusions: The results of both treatment categories (continuous versus discontinuous anticoagulant and continuous versus interruption and switch to bridging therapy) showed no significant differences in terms of bleeding events. However, the use of scores that assess the risk of thrombosis and bleeding can assist surgeons in anticipating the degree of postoperative complications and making informed treatment decisions.

Diagnostic Value of High-Resolution Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Capsular Width in Temporomandibular Joint Effusion.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the increased temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsular thickness, measured by ultrasound (US), is associated with the presence of effusion, diagnosed using MRI imaging. Materials and Methods: 102 patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were included in the study. Each patient underwent US and MRI examinations, 1 to 5 days following clinical examination. The US was performed with an 8−40 MHz linear transducer operating at 20 MHz. The MRI was performed using a 1.5 T MRI device. The ROC curve was analyzed to identify the optimal cut-off value for capsular distention, which can be interpreted as an indirect sign of TMJ effusion. Results: The capsular width values were found to be between 0.7 and 3.6 mm. The best cut-off value was 2.05 mm with a sensitivity of 55.9% and a specificity of 94.7%. The next optimal cut-off value was 1.75 mm with a sensitivity of 67.6% and a specificity of 82.4%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78 (95% CI 0.68, 0.87, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ultrasound-measured capsular width can be interpreted as an indirect sign of TMJ effusion. The critical cut-off for capsular width was 2 mm.

Perineural spread in head and neck malignancies: imaging findings - an updated literature review.

Perineural spread (PNS) represents the tumor's ability to disseminate along nerves. The aim of this article is to review the relevant literature about the PNS in head and neck tumors (HN). The important information for imaging analysis is summarized in a diagnostic flow-chart. The pathogenesis, clinical signs, prognostic importance, and technical considerations for computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are briefly discussed. The anatomical pathways of the cranial nerves (CNs) and the main check-points are synthesized. Most commonly affected nerves are the trigeminal and facial, although any of the CNs may be involved. The described imaging features represent important clues for an optimal differential diagnosis. PNS worsens the prognosis and significantly changes the treatment, thus radiologists should be aware of this entity and be able to find it on imaging in the appropriate clinical context.

Role of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and management of vascular lesions of the head and neck.

Vascular anomalies comprise a wide and heterogeneous group of lesions that may be found in all parts of the body, with most of the cases of vascular malformations involving the head and neck region. Ultrasound (US) is the reliable first-line imaging technique to assess flow parameters. However, in some cases, US fails to depict the real extent of the lesions. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the evaluation of the full extension and anatomic relationship of the vascular anomalies with the neighboring structures and provides hemodynamic characterization using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), avoiding unnecessary invasive catheter-based procedures. DCE-MRI angiography can make a distinction between low and high flow vascular anomalies and it is useful for selecting adequate therapy and appreciating prognosis. The aim of this paper is to review the role of DCE -MRI in the evaluation of flow characteristics and lesion extent in vascular anomalies of the head and neck region.

Design and Additive Manufacturing of a Biomimetic Customized Cranial Implant Based on Voronoi Diagram.

Reconstruction of cranial defects is an arduous task for craniomaxillofacial surgeons. Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing of titanium patient-specific implants (PSIs) made its way into cranioplasty, improving the clinical outcomes in complex surgical procedures. There has been a significant interest within the medical community in redesigning implants based on natural analogies. This paper proposes a workflow to create a biomimetic patient-specific cranial prosthesis with an interconnected strut macrostructure mimicking bone trabeculae. The method implements an interactive generative design approach based on the Voronoi diagram or tessellations. Furthermore, the quasi-self-supporting fabrication feasibility of the biomimetic, lightweight titanium cranial prosthesis design is assessed using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology.

High-resolution ultrasound imaging compared to magnetic resonance imaging for temporomandibular joint disorders: An in vivo study.

PURPOSE: The study aims to determine the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography (US) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients (42 female and 8 male) with signs and symptoms of TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent US (13 and 20 MHz) and MRI examination of both TMJs, 1-7 days following clinical examination. All MRI examinations were performed by another radiologist using an 1.5 T MRI device. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were computed along with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: For overall disc displacements, 13 MHz US showed a Se of 72.58%, Sp of 86.84%, PPV of 90%, NPV of 66% and diagnostic accuracy of 78%, while 20 MHz US showed a Se of 75.81%, Sp of 86.84%, PPV of 90.38%, NPV of 68.75% and a diagnostic accuracy of 80%. For degenerative changes, 13 MHz US revealed a Se of 58.33%, Sp of 92.11%, PPV of 70%, NPV of 87.5% and a diagnostic accuracy of 84%, whereas 20 MHz US indicated the same Se of 58.33%, Sp of 93.42%, PPV of 73.68%, NPV of 87.65% and a diagnostic accuracy of 85%. The Cohen's Kappa coefficient for the intra- and inter-observer agreement was 0.822 and 0.836 for disc displacement, respectively 0.813 and 0.788 for degenerative disorders (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution US could be a useful imaging technique in diagnosing TMJ disc displacements.

Imaging modalities for temporomandibular joint disorders: an update.

The diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) require both clinical and imaging examinations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A variety of modalities can be used to image the TMJ, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cone beam CT, ultrasonography, conventional radiography. The present review outlines the indications of the most frequently used imaging techniques in TMD diagnosis. Because of the anatomic complexity of the TMJ, imaging can be difficult. Choosing the proper imaging technique is essential. Conventional radiography, nowadays, is of limited interest. The use of flat plane films for TMJ pathology is not sufficient, because this joint requires three dimensional imaging views. Osseous changes are better visualized with CT and cone beam CT. Cone beam CT provides high-resolution multiplanar reconstruction of the TMJ, with a low radiation dose, without superimposition of the bony structures. MRI is a noninvasive technique, considered to be the gold standard in imaging the soft tissue components of the TMJ. MRI is used to evaluate the articular disc in terms of location and morphology. Moreover, the early signs of TMD and the presence of joint effusion can be determined. High-resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive, dynamic, inexpensive imaging technique, which can be useful in diagnosing TMJ disc displacements. The diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography is strictly dependent on the examiner's skills and on the equipment used.

High-resolution ultrasonography in assessing temporomandibular joint disc position.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography (US) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 74 patients (148 TMJs) with signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, were included in this study. All patients received US and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both TMJs 1 to 5 days after the clinical examination. MRI examinations were performed using 1.5 T MRI equipment (Siemens Avanto, Siemens, Erlangen). Ultrasonographic examination was performed on a Hitachi EUB 8500 (Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokyo, Japan) scanner with L 54 M6.5-13 MHz linear transducer. RESULTS: MRI depicted 68 (45.95%) normal joints, 47 (31.76%) with disc displacement with reduction, 33 (22.3%) with disc displacement without reduction and 34 (22.97%) with degenerative changes. US detected 78 (52.7%) normal joints, 37 (25%) with disc displacement with reduction, 33 (22.3%) with disc displacement without reduction and 21 (14.19%) with degenerative changes. Compared to MRI, US showed a sensitivity of 93.1%, specificity of 87.88%, accuracy of 90.32%, a positive predictive value of 87.1% and a negative predictive value of 93.55% for overall diagnosis of disc displacement. The Youden index was 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, high-resolution ultrasonography showed high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the diagnosis of TMJ disc displacement. It could be a valuable imaging technique in assessing TMJ disc position. The diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography depends strictly on the examiner's skills and on the equipment used.

Mandibular reconstruction using free vascularized iliac crest grafts and dental implants.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The mandible is frequently affected by tumor masses present in the oral cavity and is included in the tumor ablation procedure, with major functional and esthetic consequences for the patient. A method of high current interest in mandibular reconstruction is based on the use of free vascularized iliac crest grafts, followed by reconstruction using dental implants. METHODS: This study presents the case of four patients benefiting from this treatment method, and monitors the treatment stages and their clinical evolution after mandibular reconstruction and dental implant placement. RESULTS: The postoperative evolution of the patients was favorable, with the integration of the iliac crest grafts and dental implants. After prosthetic loading, the masticatory as well as the esthetic function of the patients was restored to a standard close to the initial one. CONCLUSIONS: This mandibular reconstruction method proved to be effective, with a high degree of reliability and a significant improvement of the patients' quality of life.