Malignant mental nerve neuropathy : systematic review

Malignant mental neuropathy (MMN) is a neurological manifestation of cancer, characterized by the presence of hypoesthesia or anesthesia restricted to the territory of the mental branch of the mandibular nerve. A systematic review of the literature has been made on MMN, analyzing the etiology, pathogeny, clinical characteristics, complementary tests and the prognosis. Sixteen studies, providing 136 cases were selected. Breast cancer and lymphomas were the most frequently associated malignant diseases. The most frequent pathogenic mechanisms producing neurological involvement were: peripherally, mandibular lesions; and centrally, tumors at the base of the cranium. Regarding clinical characteristics, manifestation of MMN was the primary symptom of malignant disease in 27.7% of cases, and a first symptom of recurrence in 37.7%. The group of selected studies included 50 orthopantomographs, 9 mandibular computed tomographies and 50 radiographic examinations of the cranial region. The most affected region was the mandible. The appearance of MMN is an ominous prognosis for the progression of the disease, with a mortality of 78.5% within a mean of 6.9 months

Vestibular bone window for the extraction of impacted lower third molars : four case reports

Four patients attending for the extraction of an impacted lower third molar are reported. The aim of this paper is was to describe a technical approach, which facilitates impacted lower third molar extraction, minimizing the ostectomy, thus reducing secondary postoperative manifestations and avoiding possible periodontal defects on the distal side of the second mandibular molar. To facilitate the extraction of the crown, roots or the complete molar, a small ostectomy in the form of a window can be made in the vestibular cortical, approaching the extraction through the resultant mesial space

Rehabilitation of severely resorbed maxillae with zygomatic implants : an update

Studies highlight the zygomatic bone as a suitable anatomical structure for implant placements since they cross four corticals. Zygomatic implants were described by Branemark in 1998, since then zygomatic implants are indicated in maxillae with atrophy of the posterior area. They have been used in systemic diseases associated with bone loss in this area, and in patients who have suffered radical surgery for maxillofacial tumors. Computed tomography is recommended before placement in order to discount any pathology of the maxillary sinus. The surgical technique has been slightly modified since its description with procedures such as the sinus slot technique. The success rate obtained by different authors varies between 82% and 100%, indicating this technique as a valid treatment option. The objective of this study was to revise the literature with the aim of updating the subject

Maxillary sinus septa : A systematic review

This review analyzes articles published on the presence of septa in maxillary sinuses. An automated search was conducted on PubMed using different key words. This search resulted in 11 papers in which the presence of antral septa was assessed. These septa are barriers of cortical bone that arise from the floor or from the walls of the sinus and may even divide the sinus into two or more cavities. They may originate during maxillary development and tooth growth, in which case they are known as primary septa; or they may be acquired structures resulting from the pneumatization of maxillary sinus after tooth loss, in which case they are called secondary septa. Several methods have been used in their study, direct observation on dried skulls or during sinus lift procedures; and radiographic observation using panoramic radiographs or computed tomographs. Between 13 and 35.3% of maxillary sinuses have septa. They can be located in any region of the maxillary sinus and their size can vary between 2.5 and 12.7 mm in mean length. Some authors have reported a higher prevalence of septa in atrophic edentulous areas than in non-atrophic ones. If a sinus lift is conducted in the presence of maxillary sinus septa, it may be necessary to modify the design of the lateral window in order to avoid fracturing the septa

Transcrestal sinus lift and implant placement using the sinus balloon technique

Objective: A description is made of transcrestal sinus lift using the sinus balloon technique, evaluating the bone height achieved and implant success one year after prosthetic loading. Material and method: Between January and July 2007, transcrestal sinus lift using the sinus balloon technique for dental implant placement was carried out in 6 patients. A panoramic X-ray study and maxillary computed tomography scan were carried out before the operation, in order to discard possible sinus pathology. During the intervention, the integrity of the sinus membrane was evaluated using a Medi Pack Pal endoscope (Farol Store and Co., Tuttlingen, Germany), and the intraoperative complications were analyzed. The dental implants were placed in the same surgical step in the presence of 3 mm or more of residual bone. Following the operation, panoramic X-rays were used to assess the bone height gained. One year after prosthetic loading, the implant success rate was determined based on the criteria of Buser. Results: One patient was excluded due to Schneider's membrane perforation as confirmed by endoscopy. Trans-crestal sinus lift was carried out in 5 males with a mean age of 41.6 years (range 27-51), without antecedents of sinus disease. There were no intraoperative complications. In four patients the implants were placed simultaneous to sinus lift, while in another case implant placement was postponed due to insufficient remaining bone height. The mean gain in height after the operation was 8.7 mm. One year after prosthetic loading, the implant success rate was 100%. Conclusions: Transcrestal sinus lift using the sinus balloon technique is a minimally invasive procedure. In 5 patients the bone height gained proved sufficient to allow implant placement even in the presence of 3 mm of residual bone. © Medicina Oral S. L

Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of 28 oral haemangiomas in paediatric patients

Objective: To present a large series of oral haemangiomas in children, analyzing the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of oral haemangiomas in 28 children. Material and Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective study, reviewing medical records with clinical diagnosis of haemangioma between 1990 and 2006 at the Children?s Maxillofacial Surgery Service of the Hospital Universitario la Fe, Valencia. All patients with a clinical, radiographic, pathologically confirmed diagnosis of oral haemangioma were included. Results: The study included 28 patients (19 females and 9 males) with a mean age of 4.27 years (range 0-14 years). Nine were congenital haemangioma. The most frequent location of oral haemangioma was in the lip with 23 cases, followed by three cases in the tongue and 2 in the buccal mucosa. The mean diameter of the lesion was 1.67 cm (range 1-3cm). The mean duration of the lesion was 6.3 months (range 1 month to 5 years). Of the 28 haemangiomas, 13 were surgically removed, 2 were treated with embolization and 13 disappeared spontaneously. The mean follow up was 2.7 months (1-8 months). There were no cases of recurrence. Conclusions: Haemangiomas usually present in children, and can be seen from birth. They have a predilection for females. They are uncommon in the oral cavity. In the oral region, the most common location is the lip. Most congenital haemangioma regress spontaneously without treatment. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the lesion

Pediatric oral ranula : clinical follow-up study of 57 cases

Objective: To present 57 cases of oral ranula in children, analyzing the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of these lesions. Methods: The clinical histories of patients diagnosed with oral ranula, seen between 1998 and 2008 at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of a reference Children?s Hospital (0-14 years) were reviewed. All patients with clinical diagnosis of oral ranula were included. Results: Fifty-seven patients, 21 boys and 36 girls, with a mean age of 5.1 years were included in the study. Thirtytwo cases were located on the left side of the floor of the mouth. The lesion diameter varied between 1 and 3 cm in 27 cases, 22 were less than 1 cm, and 8 were larger than 3 cm. Fifty-four cases were asymptomatic and 3 ranulas had pain on swallowing. Twenty-two cases were resolved by opening with a tract dilator and 35 by marsupialization. Seven cases recurred at a mean of 12 months after treatment, three of these from the marsupialization group. Conclusion: The majority of the oral ranulas occurred in females, asymptomatic, on the left side of the floor of the mouth, with a mean size of 1 to 3 cm; all lesions were treated by surgery, of which 7 recurred