Nerve Sheath Myxoma of the Tongue

Nerve sheath myxoma (NSM) of the oral mucosa is aslow-growing, benign, often asymptomatic submucosal mass. Wereport on a case of classical NSM of the tongue, with diagnostic andtherapeutic approach to the case.Many NSM arise within the endoneurium of a peripheral nerve. It isa rare condition with no apparent differences between sexes in itsprealence. It can occur at any age..</p

Diode laser surgery in the treatment of oral proliferative verrucous leukoplakia associated with HPV-16 infection

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is an oral potentially malignant disorder, characterized by multifocal expression, progressive clinical evolution, and a high rate of malignant transformation. Evidence-based information regarding optimal PVL management is lacking, due to the paucity of data. The present report describes a case of PVL associated with HPV-16 infection and epithelial dysplasia treated by diode laser surgery, and the outcome of disease clinical remission over a 2-year follow-up period

Photoletter to the editor: Exfoliative cheilitis associated with titanium dental implants and mercury amalgam

Exfoliative cheilitis is an uncommon chronic inflammatory condition that generally affects the vermilion of the lips. Its cause is still largely unknown an there is no effective treatment. Here we report of a case of exfoliative cheilitis possibly caused by mercury-containing dental amalgam in close proximity to dental titanium implant in a 41-year-old woman. By patch-testing, she was tested positive to thimerosal, palladium, gold, nickel, and copper. There was a strong temporal relation between last titanium dental implant and the onset of exfoliative cheilitis. Clinicians should be aware that exfoliative cheilitis might be associated with an allergy to intraoral dental metals and that titanium dental implant should not be implanted in the vicinity of the mercury-containing dental amalgam filling, even in presence of mercury amalgam as rootend filling material

Hyperpigmentation of the hard palate mucosa in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia taking imatinib

Abstract Background Imatinib mesylate is an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Bcr–Abl and a first-line treatment for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Dermatological side effects include superficial oedema, pustular eruption, lichenoid reactions, erythroderma, and skin rash. Depigmentation of the skin and/or mucosa is uncommon, and hyperpigmentation is rare. Case presentation We present the case of a 63-year-old Caucasian male with widespread hyperpigmentation of the hard palate associated with a 9-year history of imatinib therapy to treat CML. He did not complain of any symptoms. Clinical examination did not reveal any abnormal pigmentation of the skin or other region of the oral mucosa. He did not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. His medication regimen was a proton pump inhibitor, a beta-blocker, cardioaspirin, atorvastatin, and imatinib 400 mg/day. Histopathologically, melanin and haemosiderin deposits were evident in the lamina propria. The lesion persisted, with no clinical change, through several follow-ups. We reviewed the literature to explore the possible relationship between oral hyperpigmentation and long-term imatinib mesylate treatment. Conclusions We diagnosed oral pigmentation associated with imatinib intake based on the medical history and clinical features of the pigmented macules. Oral pigmentation may have a variety of causes, and differential diagnosis requires nodal analysis. Clinicians should be aware of possible oral mucosal hyperpigmentation in patients taking imatinib mesylate. Such pigmentation is benign and no treatment is needed, but surveillance is advisable

Allergological and Toxicological Aspects in a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Cohort

Background. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by an exaggerated response to toxicants. We ascertained the prevalence of allergy to metals and toxicological aspects in MCS patients. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 41 patients with MCS. We performed patch testing (n=21) for dental series and did lymphocyte transformation test (n=18) for metals. We measured mercury in samples of blood (n=19), urine (n=19), saliva (n=20), and scalp hair (n=17) to investigate the association between mercury levels and cases of MCS. Results. The prevalence of metal immune hypersensitivity in a subset of 26 patients was 92.3 percent. Elevations of mercury occurred in 81.2 percent (26 of 32). The mean (±SD) in blood concentrations of mercury was 7.6±13.6 μg/L; mean in urine was 1.9±2.5 μg/L; mean in scalp hair was 2.2±2.5 μg/g; mean in saliva was 38.1±52.1 μg/L. Subgroup analyses showed that elevation of mercury levels in biological matrices were associated with mercury amalgams in patients with MCS (22 patients), compared with controls (8 patients) (odds ratio 11 : 95 percent confidence interval 1.5 to 81.6; P=0.023). Conclusions. Our data show an increased prevalence of metal allergy and elevation of mercury levels in bioindicators among patients with MCS