Solitary Angiokeratoma of the Buccal Mucosa. Report of a Case

Background: Angiokeratoma is an asymptomatic, hyperkeratotic, capillary disorder of the skin present as solitary or multiple, keratotic papules or plaques, which may also be related to Fabry disease. Oral involvement may be observed in cases of widespread muco-cutaneous angiokeratomas, whereas solitary buccal angiokeratoma without systemic/cutaneous involvement is extremely rare

A Review on Xerostomia and Its Various Management Strategies: The Role of Advanced Polymeric Materials in the Treatment Approaches

The medical term xerostomia refers to the subjective sensation of oral dryness. The etiology seems to be multifactorial with the most frequently reported causes being the use of xerostomic medications, neck and head radiation, and systematic diseases (such as Sjögren’s syndrome). Xerostomia is associated with an increased incidence of dental caries, oral fungal infections, and difficulties in speaking and chewing/swallowing, which ultimately affect the oral health-related quality of life. The development of successful management schemes is regarded as a highly challenging project due to the complexity of saliva. This is why, in spite of the fact that there are therapeutic options aiming to improve salivary function, most management approaches are alleviation-oriented. In any case, polymers are an integral part of the various formulations used in every current treatment approach, especially in the saliva substitutes, due to their function as thickening and lubricating agents or, in the case of mucoadhesive polymers, their ability to prolong the treatment effect. In this context, the present review aims to scrutinize the literature and presents an overview of the role of various polymers (or copolymers) on either already commercially available formulations or novel drug delivery systems currently under research and development

Tenascin-C in Chronic Sclerosing Sialadenitis

Tenascin-C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in certain chronic inflammatory/sclerosing conditions. This study was undertaken to expand our understanding of the processes involved in fibrosis that occurs in chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (CSS) by investigating the distribution of tenascin-C. Fifteen specimens of CSS with varying degrees of fibrosis and five normal submandibular glands were retrospectively examined immunohistochemically for the distribution of TNC. Linear deposition of TNC was found around collecting ducts in normal glands and around collecting ducts without surrounding fibrotic tissue in CSS; percentage incidences were not statistically different. In contrast, broader, band-like deposition of TNC was found in the fibrous tissue around collecting ducts in CSS with widespread degree of fibrosis compared to little or no fibrosis; the percentage incidence was statistically different. In addition, deposition of TNC was found around duct-like structures and extremely atrophic acini but, interestingly, however, was not found in fibrotic interlobular septa. The results of this investigation suggest that TNC is likely involved in the fibrosis that occurs around collecting ducts in CSS