New somatic TERT promoter variants enhance the Telomerase activity in Glioblastoma.

The catalytic activity of human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) compensates for the loss of telomere length, eroded during each cell cycle, to ensure a correct division of stem and germinal cells. In human tumors, ectopic TERT reactivation, most frequently due to hotspot mutations in the promoter region (TERTp), i.e.

Cytogenetic/mutation profile of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/malignant melanoma collision tumors of the skin.

Background: Collision tumors are rare entities that consist of two histologically distinct tumor types arising in the same anatomic site. An association between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and malignant melanoma (MM) has been already described. Up to now, they have been documented only at positive regional lymph nodes while we focused on collision tumor in a skin lesion.

Mandibular distraction in neonates: indications, technique, results.

Background: The Pierre Robin Sequence features were first described by Robin in 1923 and include micrognathia, glossoptosis and respiratory distress with an incidence estimated as 1:8,500 to 1:20,000 newborns. Upper airway obstruction and feeding difficulties are the main concerns related to the pathology. Mandibular distraction should be considered a treatment option (when other treatments result inadequate).

Tessier 3 cleft with bilateral anophthalmia: case report and surgical treatment.

Tessier clefts type 3 and 4 are rare. In this paper the authors report on the management of a wide Tessier 3 cleft. There is no standardized protocol or timing of the surgical procedures in this rare disfiguring condition.

Anterolateral thigh free flap for trismus release in pediatric oncology patients.

Trismus is a common postoperative complication for patients operated on for cancer of the masticator space, infratemporal fossa, or pterygomaxillary fossa, particularly those who need radiotherapy. When other techniques have failed, free tissue transfer should be considered as an option in young patients who have previously been treated for oral cancer. We report our experience with the free anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap in two children.

Improving esthetic results in benign parotid surgery: statistical evaluation of facelift approach, sternocleidomastoid flap, and superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap application.

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to analyze the efficacy of facelift incision, sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, and superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap for improving the esthetic results in patients undergoing partial parotidectomy for benign parotid tumor resection. The usefulness of partial parotidectomy is discussed, and a statistical evaluation of the esthetic results was performed.

Patient And Methods: From January 1, 1996, to January 1, 2007, 274 patients treated for benign parotid tumors were studied.

Microvascular reconstruction of mandibular defects in paediatric patients.

Background: During mandibular reconstruction in paediatric patients special consideration must be given to the issues related to growth when restoration of the mandibular and maxillary relationship is essential for correct development of the facial skeleton, a dynamic process whereby mandibular and maxillary growth are strongly correlated. Wide resections, irradiated fields, infection at the recipient site, and scars are strong indications for using revascularized bone-containing free flaps.

Methods: Five patients were reviewed, with a follow-up ranging from 5 to 11 years.

Iliac crest free flap for maxillary reconstruction.

Purpose: Reconstructing defects after maxillary resections presents a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon because of the critical role played by the maxillary skeleton in facial function and esthetics. Obturation, local or locoregional flaps, and soft tissue free flaps are good options for maxillary reconstruction; however, the lack of bone reconstruction often leads to ptosis of the facial tissues, particularly of the nasal base and columella, under the effects of gravity and makes it impossible to place osseous implants for dental rehabilitation. We present our experience with the iliac crest free flap for maxillary reconstruction, focusing on the advantages of this technique and particularly on flap positioning, which is dependent on defect site and size.

Cranioplasty for repair of a large bone defect with autologous and homologous bone in children.

Cranioplasty is a well-established reconstructive procedure for restoring craniocerebral protection and improving cosmetic defects. Most allograft materials are not suitable in pediatric patients owing to skull growth; thus, autologous bone is often preferred in the reconstruction of the pediatric skull because of its capacity to osseointegrate and grow with the pediatric skeleton. A 33-month-old boy with Ewing sarcoma of the right frontal bone underwent surgical treatment with tumor excision.

Single, subcondylar mandibular osteotomy: a new access route for extensive, benign parapharyngeal neoplasms.

Objective: We report a new approach to benign parapharyngeal space tumours: a single, subcondylar mandibular osteotomy.

Method: Case report and review of the world literature concerning parapharyngeal space access and the various types of mandibular osteotomy.

Results: The use of a single, subcondylar mandibular osteotomy achieves good exposure and satisfactory aesthetic and functional results, using a simple, easily performed technique that is fast and has minimal morbidity.

Simultaneous management of the enophthalmos and sinus pathology in silent sinus syndrome: a report of three cases.

Silent sinus syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the maxillary sinus unilaterally, characterized by ipsilateral enophthalmos and hypoglobus. The treatment is surgical: the endoscopic approach represents the gold standard for the restoration of normal sinus aeration, but there is no consensus in the management of the enophthalmos. Most authors suggest a two stage procedure consisting of endoscopic sinus surgery initially and a delayed secondary operation for the restoration of the orbital floor.

Myomucosal cheek flaps: applications in intraoral reconstruction using three different techniques.

Objective: The use of myomucosal flaps harvested from the cheek area for intraoral reconstruction has been recently popularized in the literature. Several surgical techniques have been reported, and each study has described the outcomes and advantages of each method. However, the literature lacks a summary of the various surgical techniques utilizing buccinator myomucosal flaps.

Maxillary reconstruction using anterolateral thigh flap and bone grafts.

Background: Loss of the maxilla and midfacial bone buttresses after tumor resections can lead to severe functional and esthetic consequences. The loss of palate function may lead to oro-nasal communication, nasal speech, and oral intake difficulties. Several techniques have been proposed for maxillary defects reconstruction including prosthesis, locoregional flaps, or free flaps.

Superficial inferior epigastric artery adiposal flap for facial contour reconstruction: report of two cases.

Reconstruction of facial contour represents a real surgical challenge. Several free flaps have been proposed for these defects: fasciocutaneous free flaps such as groin, deltopectoral, anterolateral thigh, or parascapular and deep inferior epigastric. The authors report their experience with the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) adiposal flap in two cases of facial contour reconstruction.

A novel technique for cheek mucosa defect reconstruction using a pedicled buccal fat pad and buccinator myomucosal island flap.

Reconstruction of cheek mucosa defects following tumor resections can be approached with several techniques, depending on size of the defect. Fasciocutaneous and perforators free flaps are widely employed today for such reconstructions. However, small defects or general health of the patient may limit their indications.

The submental island flap in head and neck reconstruction.

The authors describe their experience with the submental island flap for the primary correction of head and neck deformities following oncologic surgery, over the past 5 years. The use of this flap is reported in 12 patients, with a mean age of 67 years, requiring facial or intraoral reconstruction. A brief review of the key points and some refinements in the operative technique are discussed.

Mandibular leiomyoma in an infant. Report of a case.

A case of mandibular leiomyoma in a 8-month-old baby is reported. This is the 5th case of intrabony leiomyoma of the jaws reported so far. The tumor presented as a symptomless swelling of the mandibular ramus and required a limited resection.

The temporalis muscle flap in temporo-mandibular joint surgery.

In the treatment of the severely damaged TMJ structural components (ankylosis, arthrosis, tumour, perforation or degeneration of the disc), it is advisable to insert a biological interposition between bony articular surfaces. The temporal muscle, due to its anatomical, topographical, and functional properties, can be successfully employed for this purpose. Based on the experience of Tessier, Delaire and Rowe, a temporalis muscle flap, inferiorly based, is rotated downwards and medially to the zygomatic arch, interposed and then fixed to condyle and capsule.

On the feasibility of intraoral maxillo-malar osteotomy.

The maxillo-malar osteotomy is one of the osteotomies developed over the years to correct the deformities of the midface without modifying the nasal projection. After having for many years approached the osteotomy through the classic double access, intraoral and subciliary, we verified the feasibility of this osteotomy via an intraoral route only. For this purpose we modified slightly the classic osteotomy lines, however still including in the mobilized fragment the most prominent and therefore the most aesthetically important portion of the zygoma.