Detecting Mandible Fractures in CBCT Scans Using a 3-Stage Neural Network.

After nasal bone fractures, fractures of the mandible are the most frequently encountered injuries of the facial skeleton. Accurate identification of fracture locations is critical for effectively managing these injuries. To address this need, JawFracNet, an innovative artificial intelligence method, has been developed to enable automated detection of mandibular fractures in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. JawFracNet employs a 3-stage neural network model that processes 3-dimensional patches from a CBCT scan. Stage 1 predicts a segmentation mask of the mandible in a patch, which is subsequently used in stage 2 to predict a segmentation of the fractures and in stage 3 to classify whether the patch contains any fracture. The final output of JawFracNet is the fracture segmentation of the entire scan, obtained by aggregating and unifying voxel-level and patch-level predictions. A total of 164 CBCT scans without mandibular fractures and 171 CBCT scans with mandibular fractures were included in this study. Evaluation of JawFracNet demonstrated a precision of 0.978 and a sensitivity of 0.956 in detecting mandibular fractures. The current study proposes the first benchmark for mandibular fracture detection in CBCT scans. Straightforward replication is promoted by publicly sharing the code and providing access to JawFracNet on grand-challenge.org.

Systematic review of the software used for virtual surgical planning in craniomaxillofacial surgery over the last decade.

Craniomaxillofacial surgery has been experiencing a deep conceptual change in surgical planning over the last decade, with virtual reality technologies becoming widely adopted. The high demand has led to an exponential increase in available software. The aim of this review was to outline the current literature and provide evidence on the most used software for virtual surgical planning (VSP), and also to define contemporary knowledge on which procedures are more ready candidates for VSP. A search was performed in the major databases, and screening of the results according to the PRISMA statement identified 535 articles reporting the implementation of preoperative VSP during the years 2010-2020. A total of 77 different software programs were identified. The surgical procedures were assigned a standardized nomenclature and further simplified into 10 categories for analysis: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), implants (IMPL), malformations (MALF), reconstruction (REC), oncology (ONCO), oral surgery (ORAL), orthognathic surgery (ORTH), cranial surgery (CRANIO), trauma (TRAUMA), miscellaneous (OTHER). The journals they were reported in and the sample size of each study were also investigated. The results showed that the Materialise suite was the most widespread tool for VSP, with a prevalence of 36.3%, followed by the Geomagic family. Several packages were found to be associated with a specific type of surgical procedure. This review offers a synopsis of the array of VSP software reported in the literature and sets the basis for an informed, evidence-based use of this software in craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Virtual planning and navigation for targeted excision of intraorbital space-occupying lesions: proposal of a computer-guided protocol.

The purpose of this study was to present an innovative approach for the preoperative assessment and intraoperative targeted excision of masses occupying the intraorbital space based on multimodal image fusion, segmentation, virtual models, digital planning, and navigation. Nineteen patients were studied and underwent surgery using the presented workflow, in both open and endoscopic procedures. Three main scenarios were standardized for the application of computer-guided surgery: single masses of the superior-lateral compartment, single masses of the inferior-medial compartment, and multifocal masses. An operative protocol was devised, and the accuracy of the osteotomies was analysed. All patients were managed successfully by applying the same protocol. No intraoperative complications were reported. The accuracy of the osteotomies was evaluated as a surrogate endpoint for the overall precision of surgery, showing average discrepancies of <1 mm for lateral marginotomies and <0.5 mm for endoscopic osteotomies. This study outlines an operative workflow for the implementation of virtual models to excise orbital masses, enhancing in-depth preoperative understanding of the anatomical relationships within the orbital space and increasing precision in both open and endoscopic approaches.

Protocol for fully digital and customized management of concomitant temporomandibular joint replacement and orthognathic surgery.

End-stage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease is caused by a multitude of pathological processes that impair TMJ anatomy and function. In many cases, end-stage TMJ disease and dentofacial skeletal deformities coexist. The optimal treatment for such conditions is total alloplastic joint replacement and orthognathic surgery. Such procedures have historically been conducted in two separate stages. Furthermore, while technological improvements resulting from the widespread adoption of virtual reality initially led to significant improvements in the field of orthognathic planning, the adoption of virtual design techniques to optimize TMJ reconstruction was a later achievement. Therefore, planning for TMJ replacement and orthognathic surgery did not develop in parallel, leading to various combinations of planning for orthognathic surgery and TMJ replacement with the aim of performing both procedures simultaneously in one stage. Nowadays, improvements in virtual planning and three-dimensional printing have allowed these procedures to be conducted in the same surgical step based on fully digital planning and entirely customized surgery. This paper introduces a fully digital protocol for the treatment of end-stage TMJ disease and associated acquired dentofacial deformities, in which all surgical steps are customized and the whole surgery is performed in succession using automated procedures, thanks to the combined use of virtual surgical planning, surgical guides, custom-designed TMJ prostheses, and patient-fitted osteosynthesis devices.

The use of cutting/positioning devices for custom-fitted temporomandibular joint alloplastic reconstruction: current knowledge and development of a new system.

Alloplastic replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the treatment of choice in cases of TMJ end-stage disease. Improvements in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) translated into the possibility ongf designi very precise TMJ prostheses based on the anatomy of each single patient. Custom-made TMJ prostheses are described in the most recent literature and provide facilitations in terms of ease of placement and accuracy. Although before the era of custom-made surgical guides, they did not play a prominent role in the field of TMJ surgery, their use has become mandatory when custom-made prostheses are used. Surgical guides, generally known also as cutting guides, allow the subcondylar bone cut to be performed according to the exact shape and size of the planned prostheses. Additionally, they allow the predrilling of fixation holes in the mandible to minimize errors in prostheses positioning. However, the design of surgical guides did not evolve over time as much as prostheses did. In this paper the authors critically analysed literature on this topic and described the improvements of surgical guides over time. Moreover, based on the findings of literature research, a new cutting guide system was developed and is proposed in this article.

Cubik system: maximizing possibilities of in-house computer-guided surgery for complex craniofacial reconstruction.

Craniofacial reconstruction represents a major challenge due to the complex anatomical morphology. Although implant production has often been outsourced to external companies, in-house planning and manufacturing has developed in many centres. This note introduces a conceptualized modular mould system to perform any desired craniofacial reconstruction, named 'Cubik', inspired by the famous Rubik's cube. A sophisticated virtual process is described that simulates realistic cranio-orbital resections, and the workflow to create multi-component moulds in order to achieve intraoperatively moulded implants is presented. The description focuses on the appropriate definition of interfaces between the subdivision surfaces of the planned implant, which is the key element to successful design and function of the moulds during surgery and is the peculiarity of the Cubik system. The use of Cubik does not prolong the overall duration of surgery, and it appears to be a very versatile tool, allowing personalized implants with different morphology to be created, which are suitable to cover every potential defect of the skull and the orbital region. This study extends the potential of in-house production, allowing highly accurate implantable craniofacial implants to be fabricated, and in the future this might represent a solution to achieve in-house replacement of other segments of the facial skeleton.

Suction dissector device for sinus membrane elevation.

The maxillary sinus floor augmentation technique requires lifting of the sinus membrane with a series of curved elevators. Lifting of the sinus membrane can be difficult due to the presence of bleeding, requiring the alternate use of curved elevators and the aspirator. This technical note presents a new surgical device, a suction dissector specifically designed for sinus membrane elevation. The suction dissector has a curvature similar to that of the curved dissector commonly used for lifting of the sinus membrane and contains an internal channel that allows the aspiration of liquid.

Accuracy of custom-fitted temporomandibular joint alloplastic reconstruction and virtual surgical planning.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) custom-made replacements by means of virtual surgical planning. The authors review 11 TMJ custom-made prostheses made of both mandibular and fossa components. Surgeries were virtually planned and patient-specific devices were designed together with surgical cutting and positional guides. Three-dimensional models for both preoperative planning and postoperative computed tomography scans were generated and overlapped in order to evaluate differences in measurements. Correlation between virtual preoperative and real postoperative prosthesis positioning was described by Lin's coefficient. Results of statistical analysis showed an almost perfect concordance. Wilcoxon's matched-pairs test showed no statistically significant deviation between preoperative virtual surgical planning and postoperative results. Colour map analysis confirmed the correspondence between virtually planned positioning of the devices and postoperative results. All the prostheses were placed with great accuracy. In conclusion, virtual surgical planning, surgical guides and patient-specific devices provide accuracy and precision in surgery for custom-made TMJ replacement.

[Fractures with loss of substance of the middle and upper third of the face: nosographic classification, surgical indications and the prevention of meningeal infections with the new antibiotic, cefuroxime]. / Le fratture con perdita di sostanza del terzo medio e superiore della faccia: inquadramento nosografico, indicazioni chirurgiche, profilassi dell infezioni meningee con il nuova antibiotico cefuroxim.

Reference is made to considerable personal experience acquired in the treatment of craniofacial fractures, particularly those affecting the upper third of the face. An account is given of the anatomical and surgical features of the naso-ethmoid-frontal and temporo-orbito-sphenoid areas--now recognised as within the domain of maxillofacial surgery--and their symptomatologies. Particular attention is directed to the question of liquorrhoea and the possibility of ascendent infections of the meninges. Reduction is favoured with respect to the former, since forward and upward repositioning often leads to the regression of ethmoidal liquorrhoea. Exclusion of the frontal sinus is regarded as a "categorical imperative" as far as meningeal infection is concerned, and support is also given for its prevention with antibiotics. A personal preference is expressed for cefuroxim, a new antibiotic with particular potency and marked diffusibility within the cerebrospinal fluid.

Diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumour of the temporomandibular joint.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) is a rare benign proliferative disorder of the synovium characterised by destructive invasion by synovial-like mononuclear cells. Two variants have been distinguished: a localized (TGCT-L) and a diffuse (TGCT-D) type. TGCT usually affects adults with a peak incidence in the fifth and sixth decades of life and is more often seen in women than in men. One of the most common soft tissue tumours of the hand (finger joints and tendon sheaths), it is exceedingly uncommon in the head or neck. Only three cases of TGCT-D have been described in the literature. This report presents a case of TGCT-D in the temporomandibular joint.

Sickle cell thalassemia in pregnancy: a case report.

A 31-year-old pregnant woman at 20 weeks' gestation was sent to our hospital for fever, anemia, and arthralgias. As she was known to be a double heterozygote for beta-thalassemia and hemoglobin S, a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia caused by sickled red cells vasocclusive crises was made. The patient was submitted to partial exchange transfusion (PET) with a complete recovery. A second PET was performed at 36 weeks' gestation, and elective cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks, with the birth of a normal female neonate.