Challenges in Differential Diagnosis of Diffuse Gingival Enlargement: Report of Two Representative Cases and Literature Review.

The etiology of diffuse gingival enlargement is multifactorial, and the definitive diagnosis may be challenging. To highlight the nuances of the differential diagnosis, we present two cases of generalized gingival overgrowth and discuss the diagnostic dilemmas. In the first case, an 82-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension and prostatitis had a chief complaint of symptomatic oral lesions of a 20-day duration, accompanied by fever and loss of appetite.

Immunoarchitectural Pattern and Its Potential Prognostic Value in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.

Objectives: To define tumor immunoarchitectural patterns (IPs) and characterize the immune profile in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) toward assessing MEC prognostic significance and implications for immunotherapy.

Methods: This study analyzed 41 MEC cases, evaluating the tumor IPs and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) parameters by using whole-slide imaging and AI-assisted assessment. Immunohistochemistry of CD3 and CD8 markers was performed to assess key lymphocyte subpopulations.

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain in Post-radiotherapy Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients may experience neuropathic pain (NP) due to radiotherapy (RT), which may become chronic. Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant, alters the transmission of painful stimuli at the synaptic level, modifying their perception. Pregabalin is used in NP treatment, but limited data exist on RT-treated HNC patients.

Small Fiber Neuropathy in Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic idiopathic orofacial pain disorder, characterized by persistent burning sensations and pain without clear pathological causes. Recent research suggests that small fiber neuropathy (SFN) may play a significant role in the neuropathic pain and sensory disturbances associated with BMS. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize current evidence supporting SFN's involvement in BMS.

Impact of COVID-19 Disease on the Development of Osteomyelitis of Jaws: A Systematic Review.

Osteomyelitis is characterized by an inflammatory process affecting both bone and bone marrow, leading to cell death and the formation of bone sequestrum. Recent literature from the past five years has documented instances of osteomyelitis following infections of SARS-CoV-2. This systematic review explores the link between osteomyelitis of the jaw (OMJ) and COVID-19 infections.

Virucidal effect of mouthwash on acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus.

Objectives: The symptoms of herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) infections might be severe and persistent in immunocompromised patients in whom they reactivate at a high frequency. The development of Acyclovir (ACV) resistant strains due to long-term treatment with antiviral agents in those patients is not uncommon. The aim of the present study was to assess the virucidal effect of commercially available mouthwashes against ACV-resistant HSV-1 strains.

Radiologic findings of osteonecrosis, osteoradionecrosis, osteomyelitis and jaw metastatic disease with cone beam CT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess CBCT scans of patients with medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ), osteoradionecrosis (ORN), osteomyelitis (OM) and jaw metastatic disease (JM), evaluate the presence and extent of radiologic findings, identify radiologic parameters that may distinguish the four entities and last, introduce a new modified radiographic index (CRIm), in order to contribute to the diagnosis of these conditions.

Methods: Τwo major databases were retrospectively searched for fully documented and diagnosed CBCT scans of MRONJ, ORN, OM and JM from 2006 to 2019. 335 CBCT scans met the inclusion criteria and were assessed under standardized viewing conditions blindly by 2 observers.

Management of oral herpes simplex virus infections: The problem of resistance. A narrative review.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are among the most common human viral pathogens, affecting several billion people worldwide. Although in healthy patients clinical signs and symptoms of HSV infection are usually mild and self-limiting, HSV-infections in immunocompromised patients are frequently more aggressive, persistent, and even life-threatening. Acyclovir and its derivatives are the gold standard antiviral drugs for the prevention and treatment of HSV infections.

Aplasia of the Major and Minor Salivary Glands: Report of a Rare Case.

Background: Aplasia of the salivary glands, either partial or involving all the major and possibly the minor salivary glands, is a very rare cause of hyposalivation. The aim of this case report is to present a case of aplasia of the major and minor salivary glands and discuss the relevant literature.

Methods: A 23-year-old woman, with a non-contributory medical and family history was referred due to rampant caries, that could not be attributed to any obvious aetiology.

A Rare Case of Mandibular Osteomyelitis in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by species, which is contracted through spores that colonize the respiratory tract, causing rhinosinusitis and pulmonary infections. Oral aspergillosis is rare and, when present, may cause soft tissue and bone destruction, generally in immunodeficient patients. Mandibular osteomyelitis is even rarer, with few cases reported in the literature.

Lymphoepithelial Subtype of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Report of an EBV-Negative Case and Literature Review.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of the oral mucosa is a rare histopathologic subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which shares morphologic similarities with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), non-keratinizing undifferentiated subtype. The admixture of neoplastic epithelial tumor cells and a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate makes microscopic diagnosis challenging. LEC etiopathogenesis has been variably associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, depending on the specific anatomic location and racial predilection, with a higher incidence in endemic populations.

IL-10 and TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms in Greek patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most frequent inflammatory disorders of the oral mucosa. Cytokines, which play an important role in RAS pathogenesis, participate directly or indirectly in normal, immunological and inflammatory processes and are secreted from cells belonging to innate and adaptive immunity as a consequence of microbial and antigenic stimuli. Gene polymorphisms in specific cytokines may predispose to RAS development.

Scleroderma-specific autoantibodies: Should they be included in the diagnostic work-up for Sjögren's syndrome?

Objectives: Sicca complaints are a frequent reason for rheumatologic consultation. Testing for specific antibodies against Ro/SSA and La/SSB antigens and minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy are among the main tools implemented in the diagnostic work-up. Anticentromere antibodies and sicca manifestations are frequently detected in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), respectively.

Acquired Compound Melanocytic Nevus on the Palate of a Child: Report of a Case.

Background: Oral melanocytic nevi are relatively rare in comparison to their cutaneous counterparts. The aim of this manuscript is to present a case of acquired compound oral melanocytic nevi on the hard palatal mucosa of a child.

Methods: A 5-year-old female girl was referred for evaluation of a pigmented lesion on the hard palate.

Expression of BMP4 and FOXN1 in orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst compared to odontogenic keratocyst suggests an epidermal phenotype.

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOC) are odontogenic cysts that share histological and immunohistochemical similarity with epidermal appendages and cutaneous cystic lesions despite exhibiting contrasting biological behavior. In epidermal appendages, BMP4 induces expression of FOXN1, which participates in terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and control of proliferation. We compared BMP4 and FOXN1 expression in OOC and OKC to investigate their role in the epithelial differentiation of these cysts.