Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mandible: the importance of an accurate histopathological diagnosis.

A case is presented of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in the mandible and oral cavity of a 62-year old woman. The histopathological features were typical and the diagnosis was confirmed on immunohistochemistry. The exact nature of this usually soft tissue sarcoma is uncertain, but it is a well defined clinicopathological tumour entity which only rarely arises in the jaws.

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of the salivary glands: a clinicopathological comparison with adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Six cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (terminal duct adenocarcinoma) of the minor salivary glands are presented. In all but one there was a history of a painless intra-oral mass of fairly long duration. The histopathological appearances were characterized by cytological uniformity in a variety of morphological patterns, including tubular, solid, fascicular and cribriform areas.

Salivary duct adenocarcinoma.

Six cases of salivary duct adenocarcinoma are presented. All had a history of a rapidly enlarging mass in the parotid gland with involvement of the facial nerve. The histopathological appearance was distinctive, each case showing an invasive tumour resembling ductal carcinoma of the breast, often with areas of comedo necrosis.

Clear cell carcinoma of minor salivary glands.

Two cases of carcinoma of the minor salivary glands are presented in which most cells had clear cytoplasm. Both patients had clinical histories in excess of 10 years and, in the one case with adequate follow-up, no recurrence had occurred after a further 11 years. Both tumours were locally invasive.

A new technique for rapid splint localisation.

The locking bar is an inherent element of cap splint jaw localisation and fixation technique. The modified method described facilitates relocalisation; potentially reducing operating theatre and technician time.