Tissue engineering of different cartilage types: a review of different approaches and recent advances

Cartilage is a connective tissue that serves as a structural support for maintaining the shape for specific appendices (nose, ear) and also helps for shock absorption when present in joints. Different types of cartilage coexist in the body: hyaline, elastic and fibrocartilage. Due to their different embryologic origin, they produce distinct extracellular matrix and therefore have specific functions according to their location. Cartilage is frequently subjected to many different lesions. Those include traumatic, metabolic and congenital forms, concerning all regions where this tissue is present: joints, head and neck area, intervertebral disks, etc. Increasing number of cancers also affects cartilage; especially in ear, nose and trachea. Unfortunately, this tissue has a poor regeneration ability. Few therapeutic options exist for cartilaginous lesions and most of them concern articular cartilage. They include micro fracture, autologous chondrocytes implantation, mosaicplasty, allograft and prosthesis. Ear and trachea are also targeted for reconstruction with lesser extent. Therefore, cartilage engineering highly addresses increasing number of pathologies associated to this tissue. In the last two decades, several trials were investigated using both progenitor cells and scaffolds. Even bone marrow derived stem cells were widely used and served as gold standard. Many progenitors from different areas are investigated for their capacity of chondrogenesis. On the other hand, biomaterials, natural and synthetic, are used to induce a 3D environment that allows proper growth and differentiation toward cartilage formation. Their characteristics depend on the location of the expected graft where porosity, biodegradability, ability to support strength and large scale use are the key points. Favorable environments are also needed to achieve appropriate chondrogenesis, including biochemical or mechanical stimuli and low oxygen tension. Bioprinting showed also encouraging outcomes in cartilage reconstruction with the investigation of several scaffolds

Recurrent labial xanthoma infection in a patient with Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome: case report and literature review

Introduction: Noonan Syndrome is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome, characterized by marked phenotypic variability. All the clinical manifestations of this syndrome are still not fully known. Observation: We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome with SOS2 mutation, observed by her general practitioner for a recurrent left upper lip abscess despite drainage and antibiotic therapy. The anatomo-pathological result of the sample was in favor of an infected xanthoma. Discussion: The most common oral manifestation of Noonan syndrome includes malocclusion, dental anomalies and radiologic jaw lesions. Xanthomas of the lip have never been reported in this syndrome. Conclusion: Oral xanthomas could be one of the many oral clinical manifestations of Noonan Syndrome. However, more research is needed to understand clinical consequences of mutations in identified genes

Recurrent labial xanthoma infection in a patient with Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome: case report and literature review

Introduction: Noonan Syndrome is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome, characterized by marked phenotypic variability. All the clinical manifestations of this syndrome are still not fully known. Observation: We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome with SOS2 mutation, observed by her general practitioner for a recurrent left upper lip abscess despite drainage and antibiotic therapy. The anatomo-pathological result of the sample was in favor of an infected xanthoma. Discussion: The most common oral manifestation of Noonan syndrome includes malocclusion, dental anomalies and radiologic jaw lesions. Xanthomas of the lip have never been reported in this syndrome. Conclusion: Oral xanthomas could be one of the many oral clinical manifestations of Noonan Syndrome. However, more research is needed to understand clinical consequences of mutations in identified genes

Maxillary restoration with complete maxillary prosthesis supported by implants with immediate loading: clinical retrospective study of 48 cases

Introduction: In recent years, the immediate loading procedure for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws has gained popularity among patients and practitioners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implant and prosthetic success rates for the rehabilitation of edentulous maxillae using tilted distal implants and immediate loading of prostheses, after 2 years. Material and method: Patients included in the study received a complete prosthesis of the upper arch, attached to 4, 5 or 6 implants. The provisional prosthesis was fixed the same day the implants were placed. After a period of osseointegration, the provisional prosthesis was replaced by a definitive prosthesis with a titanium framework made using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Judgment criteria were the implant success rate, the provisional prosthesis success rate, and the definitive prosthetic success rate. Results: Two hundred and forty-two implants were placed in 48 patients. Five implants were lost, resulting in an implant survival at 2 years of 97.9%. Two provisional fixed prosthesis had to be temporarily replaced by a removable solution, resulting in a provisional prosthesis success rate of 95.8%. The definitive prosthesis success rate was 100%. Discussion: Use of a provisional prosthesis during the osseointegration period is essential, both for the preparation of the final prosthesis as well as for proper management of potential implant failures. Implant failures are more easily managed if at least five implants were originally placed

Maxillary restoration with complete maxillary prosthesis supported by implants with immediate loading: clinical retrospective study of 48 cases

Introduction: In recent years, the immediate loading procedure for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws has gained popularity among patients and practitioners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implant and prosthetic success rates for the rehabilitation of edentulous maxillae using tilted distal implants and immediate loading of prostheses, after 2 years. Material and method: Patients included in the study received a complete prosthesis of the upper arch, attached to 4, 5 or 6 implants. The provisional prosthesis was fixed the same day the implants were placed. After a period of osseointegration, the provisional prosthesis was replaced by a definitive prosthesis with a titanium framework made using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Judgment criteria were the implant success rate, the provisional prosthesis success rate, and the definitive prosthetic success rate. Results: Two hundred and forty-two implants were placed in 48 patients. Five implants were lost, resulting in an implant survival at 2 years of 97.9%. Two provisional fixed prosthesis had to be temporarily replaced by a removable solution, resulting in a provisional prosthesis success rate of 95.8%. The definitive prosthesis success rate was 100%. Discussion: Use of a provisional prosthesis during the osseointegration period is essential, both for the preparation of the final prosthesis as well as for proper management of potential implant failures. Implant failures are more easily managed if at least five implants were originally placed