Surgical neurolysis for the treatment of neuropathic pain in 2 postmenopausal women with mandibular necrosis resulting from oral bisphosphonates.

We analyze the use of surgical neurolysis for the treatment of neuropathic pain of the inferior alveolar nerve. For that, 3 surgical neurolysis were performed on 2 postmenopausal women experiencing neuropathic pain of the inferior alveolar nerve due to mandibular necrosis resulting from treatment with oral bisphosphonates. Both patients showed sensory impairment of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Expression of CA-IX is associated with advanced stage tumors and poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Introduction: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs), a group of ubiquitously expressed metalloenzymes, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including tumorigenicity. Specifically, CA-IX has been primarily found in hypoxic tumor tissues.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study of tumors from the Tissue Bank of the Pathology Department of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in oral squamous cell carcinomas - a therapeutic target?

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteases responsible for remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM) and enabling spreading and metastasis of tumor cells, a common phenomenon in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). They are strongly blocked by several inhibitors, among which we must highlight, for their specificity and potency, the endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, -2, -3 and -4). The goal of this paper is to describe the expression of TIMPs in OSCC, determining their relation with clinical, histological and prognostic factors, delving into OSCC regulation mechanisms and discussing the use of exogenous TIMPs to treat this type of tumors.

The role of carbonic anhydrase IX in hypoxia control in OSCC.

Tumoral microenvironments play a key role in the evolution of solid tumors. Tumor hypoxia is actively involved in the promotion of genetic instability, the invasive capacity of tumor cells, metastasis, and a worsening of the clinical evolution. Endogenous hypoxia markers are controlled by hypoxia-related genes, formed by HIF-1, which is related to several target genes that involve the energy metabolism, angiogenesis, and transmembrane carbonic anhydrases (CAs), mainly CA-IX that is one of the tumor-related carbonic anhydrases.

Current trends in miRNAs and their relationship with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

A micro RNA (miRNA) is a single-stranded endogenous, non-coding RNA, with length ranging between 18 and 24 nucleotides and the ability of regulating the expression of other genes on a post-transcriptional level by means of various processes, degradation or repression of target mRNA. miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating fundamental processes such as cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis; thus, their deregulation can affect normal cell growth and development, and even participate in carcinogenesis. The goals of this paper are: to outline the formation and functions of miRNAs; to determine their role in oral squamous cell carcinoma; to analyze the different miRNAs described and their roles as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, depending on their overexpression or subexpression; to describe the different polymorphisms and epigenetic alterations identified; and to determine their role in multidrug resistance.

Hypoxia-inducible factors in OSCC.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a characteristic locally aggressive tumor in which hypoxia levels are very high, causing a low response to chemotherapy and providing basic resistance to anticancer drugs. Tumoral hypoxia directly depends on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF). The goal of this paper is to describe HIF basic biology and tumor cells (HIF-1α, mainly), analyzing the effects of its expression in OSCC, study its relation with other molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), carbonic anhydrase (CA) or VEGF and assess the possibility of its manipulation as a therapeutic target.

The role of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The main cause of death in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) is metastasis. Intercellular adhesion is mediated by a family of glycoproteins called cadherins and other molecules like catenins and APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) among other. The WNT (wingless-type) gene family is a group of genes, key signaling pathway for embryonic development and oncogenesis.

An analysis of oral biopsies extracted from 1995 to 2009, in an oral medicine and surgery unit in Galicia (Spain).

Objective: To conduct an analysis of the frequency of oral lesions in biopsies over a 14-year period in the Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of biopsies removed from 1995-2009, recording data regarding age, sex, location of the lesions, biopsy types, anatomical and pathological diagnosis and definitive diagnosis.

Results: Of the 562 patients studied, the average age was 51.

What real influence does the proto-oncogene c-myc have in OSCC behavior?

The influence of c-myc in the carcinogenic process has been previously described although in the specific case of oral tumors it has been poorly tested. Myc proteins are a family of proto-oncogenes involved in the cell proliferation regulation, differentiation and apoptosis. The goal of this paper is to describe the functions of c-myc and its role as oncogene, assessing its expression by immunohistochemistry and genetic amplification studies, and studying its relationship with tumoral clinical and pathological variables, and describing genetic and molecular interactions in OSCC.

p16(INK4a)/CDKN2 expression and its relationship with oral squamous cell carcinoma is our current knowledge enough?

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are the most common malignancy of the oral cavity and their multistep development requires the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. Inactivation of p16(INK4a), encoded by the CDKN2 gene has been widely associated with this type of tumors. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the relationship between p16(INK4a) expression and the different clinical and pathological aspects of OSCC, analyze the variation in results between studies, detailing the described genetic/epigenetic alterations that result in gene silencing and the relationship between p16(INK4a) and HPV infection.

Blood loss in orthognathic surgery: a systematic review.

Purpose: Intraoperative blood loss during orthognathic surgery is frequently abundant and sometimes requires blood transfusion. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the published data regarding intraoperative blood loss during orthognathic surgical interventions, including Le Fort I osteotomy, mandibular ramus osteotomy, and both combined, to determine the range of information available to help surgeons better prepare themselves, their patients, and the auxiliary support needed for this type of surgery and the transfusion requirements.

Materials And Methods: Selected reports from the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for studies conducted from 1978 to 2008 were evaluated to determine whether they included information on the volume of bleeding during surgery and the factors that might have influenced the amount of bleeding.

Beta-adrenergic receptors in cancer: therapeutic implications.

The beta-adrenergic receptors transduce catecholamine signals to the G protein, which through a cascade of chemical reactions in cells generates highly specific parallel signals. The beta2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is the most involved in the carcinogenic processes. Previous studies have determined the relationship of ADRB2 with various aspects related to cancer.

Postoperative recovery after removal of a lower third molar: role of trait and dental anxiety.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate trait and dental anxiety influence on postoperative recovery after lower third molar surgery and to determine the effect of anxiety on surgery duration.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed of 145 patients who underwent lower third molar extractions. Dental anxiety was evaluated using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Kleinknecht Dental Fear Survey (DFS), and the state anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Genetic and molecular alterations associated with oral squamous cell cancer (Review).

The development of oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) is a multistep process involving the accumulation of multiple genetic alterations modulated by genetic pre-disposition and environmental influences such as tobacco and alcohol use, chronic inflammation, and viral infections. All of these factors can lead to a wide range of genetic and molecular alterations that can be detected using a range of molecular studies. The alterations mostly affect two large groups of genes: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which can be either inactivated or overexpressed through mutations, loss of heterozygosity, deletions, or epigenetic modifications such as methylation.

Peri-implant bone resorption around implants placed in alveolar bone subjected to distraction osteogenesis.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate bone resorption around implants placed in alveolar bone previously subjected to distraction osteogenesis (DO).

Patients And Methods: The study included 9 patients who had undergone alveolar DO with subsequent placement of 37 implants. None of the implants was lost.

Relationships between surgical difficulty and postoperative pain in lower third molar extractions.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of surgical difficulty on postoperative pain after extraction of mandibular third molars.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study was performed of 139 patients who underwent a total of 157 mandibular third molar extractions. For evaluation of surgical difficulty, a 4-class scale was completed after surgery: I, extraction with forceps only; II, extraction requiring osteotomy; III, extraction requiring osteotomy and coronal section; IV, complex extraction (root section).

Botulinum toxin A for treating muscular contractures in cephalic tetanus.

Objective: This study reports the use of botulinum toxin for treatment of muscle contractures in a patient with cephalic tetanus.

Method: Case report.

Results: An 80-year-old woman was diagnosed with cephalic tetanus, with contractures of the masseter, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and levator scapulae muscles.

Oral manifestations of Cowden's disease. Presentation of a clinical case.

Cowden's disease, or multiple hamartoma syndrome, is an autosomal dominant genodermatosis, characterized by the presence of multiple cutaneous hamartomas, oral fibromas and benign acral keratosis. It affects multiple organs (breast, thyroids, stomach, colon), with the strong possibility of malignant neoplasia developing in these organs. We present a case of this rare syndrome, highlighting the presentation of some clinical characteristics that, in suspected cases, can help to establish an early diagnosis of this disease, this being of great importance given the high frequency of tumors in people with this clinical picture.

Clinicopathologic aspects of oral leukoplakia in smokers and nonsmokers.

Objective: The present study assessed possible clinicopathologic differences between oral leukoplakia in current smokers and never-smokers.

Study Design: Retrospective study of 52 patients with oral leukoplakia. Clinical and pathologic data (age, sex, lesion size, lesion location, and presence/absence of dysplasia) were compared between 41 current-smoking patients and 11 never-smoking patients.

Pederson scale fails to predict how difficult it will be to extract lower third molars.

We report a consecutive series of 105 extractions of impacted lower third molars, in each of which operative difficulty was predicted preoperatively using the Pederson scale (radiographic appearance of the anatomical position of the lower third molar), and postoperative difficulty was scored with a modified version of the Parant scale (operative manoeuvres that were needed for extraction of the third molar). Preoperative classification as "difficult" on the Pederson scale was not an accurate predictor of true difficulty (postoperative classification as "difficult" on the modified Parant scale). There was no significant association between the Pederson score and duration of operation, but high Parant scores were significantly associated with longer operations.

Reduced E-cadherin expression is an indicator of unfavourable prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim was to evaluate E-cadherin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and its possible relationships with tumour histology and with clinical course and survival. Surgical biopsies from 47 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were analysed for expression of E-cadherin using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed to identify possible associations with tumour clinic-histological features and with clinical course and survival.

Gene expression profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study.

Purpose: To study the gene expression profile of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Materials And Methods: Gene expression profile was investigated in oral squamous cell carcinomas in 5 patients using the Atlas Glass Human 3.8 I Microarray (which detects cDNA obtained from cellular total RNA) (Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA).

Rhomboid glossitis in atypical location: case report and differential diagnosis.

Median rhomboid glossitis (MRG) is an uncommon benign abnormality of the tongue, most frequently affecting men. It is typically located around the midline of the dorsum of the tongue, anterior to the lingual "V", appearing as a reddish, rhomboid area, depapillated, flat maculate or mamillated and raised by 2 - 5 mm. This paper reports a case of rhomboid glossitis in a 61-year-old man who consulted for a painless raised lesion on the dorsum of the tongue, in left paramedial (not medial) location.

Horizontal alveolar distraction: a surgical technique with the transport segment pedicled to the mucoperiosteum.

Purpose: The study goal was to describe a surgical technique for performing horizontal alveolar distraction with the aim of increasing the width of alveolar ridges that are too narrow for dental implant placement.

Materials And Methods: A transport segment is cut from the vestibular side of the ridge, using osteotomes, and maintaining extensive attachment to the mucoperiosteum. The distraction screw is placed through the vestibular mucosa and the transport segment, in vestibular-palatal direction.