Hand-Carried Ultrasonography Instrumentation in the Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.

Internal derangement (ID) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is defined as a mechanical problem of the joint that interferes with its function. It is attributed to an abnormal interaction among the articular disc, condyle, and joint eminence. The aim of this study is to evaluate diagnostic efficacy of non-invasive hand-carried ultrasonography instrumentation (US) to provide high-level images for a correct diagnosis of ID.

Different Solutions for Damaged Nasotracheal Tube during Maxillofacial Surgery: A Case Series.

Difficult airway management and intraoperative tube damage are important problems during maxillofacial surgery. Damage occurs frequently during the surgery, and the anesthesiologist must be ready to find a quick and safe solution. Replacing the damaged endotracheal tube involves additional difficulties, and various factors must be evaluated.

Very large Ameloblastic Fibroma with Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst in an 8-year-old child. Histological and immunohistochemical characterisation.

Background: Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is an uncommon odontogenic tumour that may present an aggressive behaviour and may have potential for malignant transformation. Ghost cell (GC) differentiation within AF is extremely rare. There are only seven cases in the international literature in which ghost cells are found in AF.

Rare and life-threatening complication after an attempted lower third molar extraction: Lemierre syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome is also known as the forgotten disease, and is a rare but life-threatening complication that can arise after surgical extractions of infected mandibular third molars. Owing to its rarity, oral and maxillofacial surgeons might not immediately recognise or can underestimate the pathological signs, and consequently do not apply the appropriate therapy to treat the syndrome. Here, we report on the occurrence and management of a case of Lemierre's syndrome, where the complications affected the right sigmoid sinus.

Ultra-low-frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS) in subjects with craniofacial pain: A retrospective study.

: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ultra-low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS) on pain and electromyographic values in subjects affected by temporomandibular disorders. : A retrospective evaluation of 80 non-consecutive patients (58 women, 22 men, mean age 35.3 ± 9.

Bilateral Central Giant Cell Granuloma of the mandibular angle in three females from the same family.

In literature there are few reports about multiple CGCG. But this is the first report of bilateral CGCG of the mandibular angles in three females from the same family.This report describes three cases of females from the same family - a mother and two young daughters - with bilateral CGCG in their jaw angles.

Antiresorptive drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaws, literature review and 5 years of experience.

Purpose: Bisphosphonate drug therapy provides benefits in the case of osteoporosis and carcinomas metastasizing to the bones, but it exposes patients to important side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and the appropriate surgical treatment of bone lesions and fractures due to antiresorptive drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (ARONJ).

Methods: Patients presenting with osteonecrosis lesions of the jaw, who were referred to the Maxillo-Facial unit of the University of L'Aquila, were considered for inclusion.

Anti-inflammatory steroid use in impacted third molar surgery: a systematic review.

Oral surgery procedures involve traumatization of mucosal and bony tissues, and lengthy interventions can lead to inflammatory post-operative sequelae. In the bony tissues in particular, the inflammatory processes can affect healing. Modern drug therapies provide valid support for lowering the risk of occurrence of post-operative inflammatory signs.

Cervical injury related to mandibular fractures. A retrospective study of 315 cases.

Objective To define the association between mandibular fractures and alterations of the cranio-atlo-axial joint (CAAJ). Methods 315 cases of displaced mandibular fractures were retrospectively evaluated by CT scan and cervical X-ray for associated alterations of the CAAJ. Statistical analysis employed the chi-square and Cohen's kappa coefficient.

p53 as a prognostic marker associated with the risk of mortality for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is often associated with a poor prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate survival and the risk of mortality in OSCC with regard to stage, tumor site and p53 expression. A retrospective study was performed on 150 non-consecutive cases of OSCC that were observed between January 1992 and January 2012, and were selected from a total of 580 patients according to the criteria of the homogeneity of histopathological grading (G2).

Association between p53 status, human papillomavirus infection, and overall survival in advanced oral cancer after resection and combination systemic treatment.

Our previous study on 75 cases of advanced oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery, and radiotherapy showed that overexpression of p53 of more than 50% indicated a strong probability of genetic mutation, and tumours that are characterised by this p53 pattern respond poorly to treatment and have a poor prognosis (p= 0.0001). We have studied the same cohort of patients retrospectively to investigate the incidence of human papillomavirus-16 (HPV16) infection, the relation to the overexpression or mutation of the p53 gene, and the association with overall survival.

Epidemiology, pharmacology and clinical characterization of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. A retrospective study of 70 cases.

Background And Objectives: Bisphosphonates are widely prescribed drugs whose principal capacity is inhibiting the osteoclast function. In 2003 a complication related to their administration, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), was described. The objectives of this study were to identify diagnosed cases of BRONJ in a third-level hospital over 8 years, evaluating the main features in relation to the disease, the bisphosphonate and the presence of local or general risk factors that could trigger the BRONJ.

Oral lymphomatoid granulomatosis, the first sign of a 'rare disease': a case report.

Introduction: Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is an uncommon Epstein-Barr virus-positive B-cell lymphoma, an angiocentric-destructive process with a predominant T-cell background. Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is listed among rare diseases. Common localization is in the lungs.

Evaluation of p53 protein as a prognostic factor for oral cancer surgery.

We have analysed concentrations of the p53 protein in advanced oral carcinomas immunohistochemically and genetically to detect the percentage of overexpression of this antioncogene that indicates a high probability of mutation. This would point to it being a useful prognostic factor, if we consider the importance of the relation between genetic alterations of p53 and poor overall survival. Seventy-five non-consecutive patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and metastatic nodes were enrolled if there was homogeneity in histopathological grading (G2) of their tumours, and they were treated according to a multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Pathological (late) fractures of the mandibular angle after lower third molar removal: a case series.

Introduction: Pathological (late) fracture of the mandibular angle after third molar surgery is very rare (0.005% of third molar removals). There are 94 cases reported in the literature; cases associated with osseous pathologies such as osteomyelitis or any local and systemic diseases that may compromise mandibular bone strength have not been included.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the lung and the maxillary region: a benign lesion with aggressive behavior.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare mass-forming lesion characterized by fibroblastic or myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with varying degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration. Although it has been reported in virtually every organ in the body, the lung is the most common site of involvement. Extrapulmonary IMTs, although rare, have been reported and are characterized by different, more aggressive behavior.

Image-guided transoral biopsy in a boy with Grisel's syndrome.

Grisel's syndrome is a disease characterized by an atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation following acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The syndrome has a good prognosis as it usually heals with antibiotics, despite the delayed serious complications that have been reported. When neuroradiological investigation does not allow an accurate differential diagnosis between a tumor and osteomyelitis, an image-guided transoral biopsy is a safe, fast, minimally invasive, as well as effective, procedure.

Gingival Myofibroma. A case report.

Aim: The Myofibroma (MF) is a benign mesenchymal tumor frequently observed in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the head-neck region. It is described mainly in infants with congenital forms and, in early childhood, with acquired forms. Less often, it can be observed in adolescents and adults.

DNA aneuploidy as a topographic malignant transformation pattern in a pleomorphic adenoma of long-term evolution: a case report.

Introduction: We present a case of long-term evolution of a submandibular pleomorphic adenoma. There is little information about topographic malignant transformation patterns of pleomorphic adenomas.

Case Presentation: We extensively analyze a giant submandibular mixed tumor of 25-year evolution in a 57-year-old Caucasian woman.

High-grade chondroblastic and fibroblastic osteosarcoma of the upper jaw.

Osteosarcomas (OS) are extremely uncommon in maxillofacial region (6%-10% of all sarcomas). Jaw lesions are diagnosed on average two decades later than sarcomas of long bone, with a peak incidence between 20 and 40 years. Head and neck OS (HNOS) are associated with a lower metastatic rate than long bone OS, and they have a better 5-year survival rate, ranging between 27% and 84%.

Mandibular condylar fractures and acute atlanto-axial subluxation Part 2 A physiopathological factor for the cervical spine sprain.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the physiopathology of the acute cervical injure in the event of mandibular condylar fractures.

Methods: As in the Part 1, 25 non-consecutive cases of condylar mandibular fractures (16 males and 9 females, mean age: 22.96/range 14-36 years) observed and treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the University of L'Aquila, have been studied.

Mandibular condylar fractures and acute atlanto-axial subluxation. Part 1 - A new clinical and nosographic evidence.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute repercussions of condylar mandibular fractures on occipital-atlanto-axial joint.

Methods: Twenty-five non-consecutive cases (16 males and 9 females, mean age: 22.96/range 14-36 years), observed and treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the University of L'Aquila have been considered.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) effects on mandibular kinetics: kinesiographic study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on mandibular kinematics in TMD patients.

Methods: The study was conduced on 28 children with non-specific TMD symptoms, limited mouth opening, history of trauma (delivery trauma, accident trauma). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: an OMT group (study group) and a no-intervention group (control group).

Necrotizing fasciitis of the maxillofacial region caused by dental infection. A case report and review.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a destructive and potentially fatal soft tissue infection characterized by extensive necrosis and gas formation in subcutaneous tissues and fascia, with serious involvement of muscles, vessels, nerves, and fat. In the maxillofacial region, NF is less common. The process can represent the evolution of a dental infection supported by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic therapy (multidrug resistance) in immunocompromised patients or the natural evolution of untreated infection.

Cervical pain and headache in patients with facial asymmetries: the effect of orthognathic surgical correction.

Aim: Facial asymmetries are often associated with cervicobrachial pain and headache. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of surgical orthognathic correction of facial asymmetries on the intensity of cervicobrachial pain and headache in the short and long term.

Methods: Thirty-two patients affected by maxillomandibular asymmetries associated with pain referred to occipital, cervical, dorsal and scapulohumeral areas who were undergoing orthodontic surgical correction were enrolled in the study.