Reproducibility of Laser Doppler Flowmetry in gingival microcirculation. A study on six different protocols.

OBJECTIVES: Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) is a non-invasive technique for the assessment of tissue blood flow, but increased reproducibility would facilitate longitudinal studies. The aim of the study was to assess the interday reproducibility of Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) at rest, at elevated local temperatures, and with the use of the vasodilator Methyl Nicotinate (MN) in six interconnected protocols for the measurement of the blood supply to the microvascular bed of the gingiva. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were included. Interweek LDF measurements with custom-made acrylic splints were performed. Six protocols were applied in separate regions of interest (ROI): 1; basal LDF, 2; LDF with thermoprobe 42 °C, 3; LDF with thermoprobe 45 °C, 4; LDF with thermoprobe 42 °C and MN, 5; LDF with thermoprobe 45 °C and MN and 6; LDF with MN. RESULTS: Intra-individual reproducibility was assessed by the within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Basal LDF measurements demonstrated high reproducibility with wCV 11.1 in 2 min and 10.3 in 5 min. ICC was 0.9 and 0.92. wCV after heat and MN was 4.9-10.3 and ICC 0.82-0.93. The topically applied MN yielded increased blood flow. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating the reproducibility of basal LDF compared to single or multiple vasodilatory stimuli in gingiva. Multiple collector fibers probe and stabilizing acrylic splints are recommended. Vasodilatory stimulation showed a tendency toward higher reproducibility. Furthermore, MN yields vasodilation in gingiva.

Distribution of orthognathic surgery among the Swedish population: a retrospective register-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a nationally representative assessment of orthognathic procedures performed in hospitalised patients in Sweden and study regional differences in prevalence, demographic parameters and hospitalisation time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's register, all the patients undergoing orthognathic surgery between 2010 and 2014 were identified. Outcome variables were categorised into: (1) Surgical methods and regional distribution (2) Demographic variations (3) Hospitalisation time. RESULTS: The population-prevalence-rate of orthognathic procedures over the 5-year period was 6.3 (SD 0.4) per 100,000 persons, a regional difference in the prevalence was found. Most common were Le Fort I osteotomies (43.4%) and bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (41.6%), 39% of the patients had bimaxillary surgery. The majority of the surgery was performed in the age group 19-29 (68.8%). The mean hospital stay was 2.2 days (SD = 0.9, range 1.7-3.4). A significant regional difference (p ≤ 0.001) was found in hospitalisation time for single-jaw versus bimaxillary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Regional differences in the distribution of orthognathic surgery and demographic variations were found in Sweden in 2010-2014. The underlying causes of variations are still unknown and request further investigation.

Impact of a zoledronate coating on early post-surgical implant stability and marginal bone resorption in the maxilla-A split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of a bisphosphonate coating on a titanium implant on the implant stability quotient (ISQ) and the radiographic marginal bone levels at implants during early healing (2-8 weeks). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized double-blind trial with internal controls, 16 patients received a dental implant coated with zoledronate and one uncoated implant as a control. The coated and uncoated implants which were visually indistinguishable were bone level titanium implants with a moderately rough surface and a microthreaded neck. ISQ values were obtained at insertion and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Radiographs were obtained at insertion and at 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the difference in ISQ values between the coated implants and the control implants at 4 and 6 weeks, corrected for insertion values. The secondary outcome was loss of marginal bone level from insertion to 8 weeks. RESULTS: Implant stability quotient values remained largely constant over the 8 weeks, and there was no significant difference between coated and uncoated implants at any time point. There was 0.12 (SD 0.10) mm marginal bone loss at the control implants and 0.04 (SD 0.08) mm at the coated implants. The difference was 0.17 mm; SD 0.14; p < 0.006). On blind qualitative scoring, 13 of the 15 control implants and two of 15 coated implants showed small marginal bone defects (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences observed in ISQ values between the coated and uncoated implants during the early healing. There was less marginal bone loss at the coated implants.

Brachytherapy and osteoradionecrosis in patients with base of tongue cancer.

BACKGROUND: Base of tongue cancer incidence and patient survival is increasing why treatment sequelae becomes exceedingly important. Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a late adverse effect of radiotherapy and brachytherapy (BT) could be a risk factor. Brachytherapy is used in three out of six health care regions in Sweden. AIMS: Investigate if patients treated in regions using BT show an increased risk for ORN and whether brachytherapy has any impact on overall survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used data from the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register between 2008-2014. Due to the nonrandomized nature of the study and possible selection bias we compared the risk for ORN in brachy vs non-brachy regions. RESULTS: Fifty out of 505 patients (9.9%) developed ORN; eight of these were treated in nonbrachy regions (16%), while 42 (84%) were treated in brachy regions. Neither age, sex, TNM-classification/stage, p16, smoking, neck dissection, or chemotherapy differed between ORN and no-ORN patients. The risk for ORN was significantly higher for patients treated in brachy regions compared to non-brachy regions (HR = 2,63, p = .012), whereas overall survival did not differ (HR = 0.95, p = .782). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Brachytherapy ought to be used cautiously for selected patients or within prospective randomized studies.

Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw in a rat model arises first after the bone has become exposed. No primary necrosis in unexposed bone.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was first described to start with sterile osteocyte death, similar to osteonecrosis in other parts of the skeleton. The typical chronic osteomyelitis was thought to develop when the dead bone was exposed to the oral cavity. An alternative explanation would be that the chronic osteomyelitis is a result of a bisphosphonate-related inability of infected bony lesions to heal. We tested the hypothesis that primary osteocyte death is not necessary for the development of jaw osteonecrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty rats were randomly allocated to four groups of 10. All animals underwent unilateral molar extraction and received the following drug treatments: Group I, controls with no drug treatment; Group II, 200 µg/kg per day alendronate; Groups III and IV, 200 µg/kg per day alendronate and 1 mg/kg of dexamethasone. All rats were euthanized after 14 days. Presence of osteonecrosis was determined by clinical and histological observations for groups I-III. For group IV, osteocyte viability at the contralateral uninjured site was examined using lactate dehydrogenase histochemistry (LDH). RESULTS: All animals in the alendronate plus dexamethasone groups developed large ONJ-like lesions. Lactate dehydrogenase staining showed viable osteocytes in the contralateral jaw with no tooth extraction. No signs of osteonecrosis were seen in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Bisphosphonates and dexamethasone caused no osteocyte death in uninjured bone, but large ONJ-like lesions after tooth extraction. Osteonecrosis of the jaw appears to arise first after the bone has been exposed. Possibly, bisphosphonates hamper the necessary resorption of bone that has become altered because of infection.

Ibandronate Reduces the Surface Bone Resorption of Mandibular Bone Grafts: A Randomized Trial With Internal Controls.

Autologous bone grafts are considered the gold standard for reconstruction of the edentulous alveolar ridges. However, this procedure is associated with unpredictable bone loss caused by physiological bone resorption. Bisphosphonates are antiresorptive drugs that act specifically on osteoclasts, thereby maintaining bone density, volume, and strength. It was hypothesized that the resorption of bone grafts treated with an ibandronate solution would be less advanced than bone grafts treated with saline. Ten patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomy were included in a randomized double-blind trial with internal controls. Each patient received a bone graft treated with a solution of ibandronate on one side and a graft treated with saline (controls) contralaterally. Radiographs for the measurement of bone volume were obtained at 2 weeks and at 6 months after surgery. The primary endpoint was the difference in the change of bone volume between the control and the ibandronate bone grafts 6 months after surgery. All of the bone grafts healed without complications. One patient was excluded because of reoperation. In eight of the nine patients, the ibandronate bone grafts showed an increase in bone volume compared with baseline, with an average gain of 126 mm3 (40% more than baseline) with a range of +27 to +218 mm3. Only one ibandronate-treated graft had a decrease in bone volume (8%). In the controls, an average bone volume loss of -146 mm3 (58% of baseline) with a range of -29 to -301 mm3 was seen. In the maxillofacial field, the reconstructions of atrophic alveolar ridges, especially in the esthetical zones, are challenging. These results show that bone grafts locally treated with ibandronate solution increases the remaining bone volume. This might lead to new possibilities for the maxillofacial surgeons in the preservation of bone graft volumes and for dental implant installations. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Long-term evaluation of osteotome sinus floor elevation and simultaneous placement of implants without bone grafts: 10-Year radiographic and clinical follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Insertion of an implant in the edentulous posterior maxilla is a challenging procedure because of poor bone quality and increased pneumatization of the maxillary sinus after tooth extraction. To increase the amount of bone, several surgical bone grafting techniques have been used-with considerable morbidity for patients. Osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) is a less invasive technique. The clinical and radiographic outcome of 53 implants placed with this technique without bone graft has been reported previously. PURPOSE: Here we report the clinical and radiographic findings after 10 years of implant load bearing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 34 Astra implants in 25 patients were subjected to 10-year follow-up radiologically and clinically. Each patient received 1 or 2 conical Astra implants. The level of the marginal bone and the height of the residual peri-implant alveolar bone (RPAB) for each implant were measured from digital intra-oral radiographs. RESULTS: Two implants in edentulous patients were lost at the 1-year follow-up, and 1 more at the 3-year examination. There was no loss between 3-year and 10-year follow-up. At 10-year follow-up 36 implants were included. Implants used in single-tooth replacements and in partially edentulous cases had a 100% survival rate. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.6 ± 0.8 mm. The bone height at the time of implant insertion ranged from 1.8 to 6.9 mm, with a mean value of 4.3 ± 1.0 mm. At 10-year follow-up the mean gain in bone at the implant sites for all implants was 2.6 ± 1.2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The OSFE technique is a reliable method for rehabilitation of patients with atrophied posterior maxilla. However, the success of this method is associated with the amount of the residual bone. In the present study, this surgical approach without bone graft showed reliable long-term results with Astra implants.

The accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of parotid gland masses: a clinicopathological study of 114 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a valuable method for preoperative assessment of head and neck tumors. However, its accuracy in detection of salivary gland masses is controversial compared with other methods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of parotid gland masses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 126 parotid gland masses were resected. Retrospective chart reviews of 114 patients were performed. The results of FNAC and final histological diagnosis were compared and the accuracy of FNAC was determined. RESULTS: Final histological evaluation revealed 11 malignant tumors and 103 benign lesions. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common neoplasm (63%), followed by Warthin's tumor (17.5%). The sensitivity of FNAC in detecting malignant tumors was 73% and the specificity was 97%. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 73% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 97%. The overall accuracy of FNAC in detecting parotid masses was 95%. False-negative diagnosis was found in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma whereas there was false-positive diagnosis in cases of pleomorphic adenoma and normal parotid gland tissue. CONCLUSION: FNAC is a reliable minimally invasive diagnostic method with a high sensitivity in diagnosis of lesions in parotid glands. The sensitivity of detection of malignant tumors in parotid glands was low due to the biopsy technique used, and depended on tumor location. Postoperative complications decreased after superficial parotidectomy.

Primary Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Jaws in Children: An Update on Pathophysiology, Radiological Findings, Treatment Strategies, and Prospective Analysis of Two Cases.

Objective. Primary chronic osteomyelitis (PCO) of the jaws in children is associated with pain, trismus, and swelling. In children, temporomandibular joint involvement is rare and few studies have been published due to the relatively low incidence. This paper presents two cases of mandibular PCO in children with the involvement of the collum mandibulae. In addition, a review of the literature regarding demographic data, histological, radiological, and laboratory findings, and treatment strategies of PCO was also performed. Material and Methods. Prospective analyses of two PCO cases. A PubMed search was used and the articles were sorted according to their corresponding key area of focus. Results. Review of the literature revealed twenty-four cases of PCO with two cases of mandibular condyle involvement. The mean age was 18 years; the male to female ratio was 1 : 3. Most of the patients were treated with anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with decortication. Clinical recurrence was seen in 7 cases. Conclusion. A combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical intervention appears to be the first choice of treatment. However, surgical removal of necrotic tissue adjacent to collum mandibulae has its limitations in children. Further investigations are of utmost importance in order to increase our knowledge and understanding of this disease.

Bisphosphonate associated osteomyelitis of the jaw in patients with bony exposure: prevention, a new way of thinking.

Objective There is strong evidence of a link between the use of systemic bisphosphonates (BPs) and osteonecrosis of the jaw, especially in cancer patients. Among risk factors for BRONJ, tooth extraction and immune suppressive drugs seem to have significant role on bone healing. Therefore, the importance of these parameters in development of BRONJ was reviewed in this retrospective study in two maxillofacial surgery units. Material and Methods From 2007 to 2012, 46 patients on bisphosphonate who had developed oral bony lesions participated in this study. The pharmacological exposure, comorbidities, maxillofacial findings, types of treatment and outcome data were collected from clinical and radiological records. Results The most frequently used BP was alendronate (67%). Tooth extraction was reported in 61% of patients with BRONJ. Systemic corticosteroids were prescribed in 35 cases (76%) as an adjuvant for BP. Patients on corticosteroids had a lower probability of bony lesion healing (p<0.05) than patients without corticosteroids. Of the 46 patients who underwent conservative treatments, only ten were completely healed (21%). Conclusions Beside tooth extraction, corticosteroids were shown to be an implant risk factor for low rate of bone healing and hence the development of BRONJ. The outcome of conservative treatment was uncertain and this emphasizes the importance of prevention.

Bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: an update on pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatment.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients treated with bisphosphonates is a relatively rare but well known complication at maxillofacial units around the world. It has been speculated that the medication, especially long-term i.v. bisphosphonate treatment, could cause sterile necrosis of the jaws. The aim of this narrative review of the literature was to elaborate on the pathological mechanisms behind the condition and also to gather an update on incidence, risk factors, and treatment of bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaw. In total, ninety-one articles were reviewed. All were published in internationally recognized journals with referee systems. We can conclude that necrotic lesions in the jaw seem to be following upon exposure of bone, for example, after tooth extractions, while other interventions like implant placement do not increase the risk of osteonecrosis. Since exposure to the bacterial environment in the oral cavity seems essential for the development of necrotic lesions, we believe that the condition is in fact chronic osteomyelitis and should be treated accordingly.

A bisphosphonate-coating improves the fixation of metal implants in human bone. A randomized trial of dental implants.

Many surgical procedures use metal implants in bone. The clinical results depend on the strength of the bone holding these implants. Our objective was to show that a drug released from the implant surface can improve parameters reflecting the quality or amount of this bone. Sixteen patients received paired dental titanium implants in the maxilla, in a randomized, double-blinded fashion. One implant in each pair was coated with a thin fibrinogen layer containing 2 bisphosphonates. The other implant was untreated. Fixation was evaluated by measurement of resonance frequency (implant stability quotient; ISQ) serving as a proxy for stiffness of the implant-bone construct. Increase in ISQ at 6months of follow-up was the primary variable. None of the patients had any complications. The resonance frequency increased 6.9 ISQ units more for the coated implants (p=0.0001; Cohen's d=1.3). The average difference in increase in ISQ, and the effect size, suggested a clinically relevant improvement. X-ray showed less bone resorption at the margin of the implant both at 2months (p=0.012) and at 6months (p=0.012). In conclusion, a thin, bisphosphonate-eluting fibrinogen coating might improve the fixation of metal implants in human bone. This might lead to new possibilities for orthopedic surgery in osteoporotic bone and for dental implants.

The accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of parotid gland masses: a clinicopathological study of 114 patients

ABSTRACT Objective Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a valuable method for preoperative assessment of head and neck tumors. However, its accuracy in detection of salivary gland masses is controversial compared with other methods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of parotid gland masses. Material and Methods Over a 10-year period, 126 parotid gland masses were resected. Retrospective chart reviews of 114 patients were performed. The results of FNAC and final histological diagnosis were compared and the accuracy of FNAC was determined. Results Final histological evaluation revealed 11 malignant tumors and 103 benign lesions. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common neoplasm (63%), followed by Warthin’s tumor (17.5%). The sensitivity of FNAC in detecting malignant tumors was 73% and the specificity was 97%. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 73% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 97%. The overall accuracy of FNAC in detecting parotid masses was 95%. False-negative diagnosis was found in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma whereas there was false-positive diagnosis in cases of pleomorphic adenoma and normal parotid gland tissue. Conclusion FNAC is a reliable minimally invasive diagnostic method with a high sensitivity in diagnosis of lesions in parotid glands. The sensitivity of detection of malignant tumors in parotid glands was low due to the biopsy technique used, and depended on tumor location. Postoperative complications decreased after superficial parotidectomy.

Bisphosphonate associated osteomyelitis of the jaw in patients with bony exposure: prevention, a new way of thinking

Objective There is strong evidence of a link between the use of systemic bisphosphonates (BPs) and osteonecrosis of the jaw, especially in cancer patients. Among risk factors for BRONJ, tooth extraction and immune suppressive drugs seem to have significant role on bone healing. Therefore, the importance of these parameters in development of BRONJ was reviewed in this retrospective study in two maxillofacial surgery units. Material and Methods From 2007 to 2012, 46 patients on bisphosphonate who had developed oral bony lesions participated in this study. The pharmacological exposure, comorbidities, maxillofacial findings, types of treatment and outcome data were collected from clinical and radiological records. Results The most frequently used BP was alendronate (67%). Tooth extraction was reported in 61% of patients with BRONJ. Systemic corticosteroids were prescribed in 35 cases (76%) as an adjuvant for BP. Patients on corticosteroids had a lower probability of bony lesion healing (p<0.05) than patients without corticosteroids. Of the 46 patients who underwent conservative treatments, only ten were completely healed (21%). Conclusions Beside tooth extraction, corticosteroids were shown to be an implant risk factor for low rate of bone healing and hence the development of BRONJ. The outcome of conservative treatment was uncertain and this emphasizes the importance of prevention. .