Histopathological and patient-related characteristics of basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck influencing therapeutic management

The authors hypothesize that histopathological characteristics of basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck (BCCHN) have changed over time and the correlation of BCCHN localization and histological tumour type can help improving the number and quality of necessary therapeutic interventions. Information of 222 patients with 344 BCCHN was gained. Descriptive measures were compared to prior studies to prove whether or not characteristics of basal cell carcinomas or patients have changed over time. Afterwards descriptive measures were correlated with number of conducted operations to evaluate if tumour localization, histological tumour type and number of operations depend on one another. Aggravating factors which lead to a higher number of operations were older age, greater size of BCCHN, adjacent elastosis, the localizations eye, ear and nose and histological tumour types morpheaform and nodularulcerated. In comparison to earlier studies characteristics of BCCHN and patients showed positive developments because of grown awareness of BCCHN. Furthermore, our correlations demonstrate that therapeutic results of BCCHN treatment are continuously improving. Nevertheless, treatment of aggressive morpheaform BCCHN in combination with distinctive patient characteristics still needs improvement

Plasma Electrolytic Polished Patient-Specific Orbital Implants in Clinical Use—A Technical Note

This technical note describes the technique of plasma electrolytic polishing on orbital patient-specific implants and demonstrates clinical handling and use by the insertion of a plasma electrolytic polished orbital implant into a patient

Image quality of a portable X-ray device (Nomad Pro 2) compared to a wall-mounted device in intraoral radiography

Objectives!#!The aim of this study was to determine whether a handheld (HH) X-ray device (Nomad Pro 2) is capable of producing equivalent or even superior X-ray image quality in comparison to a wall-mounted (WM) dental X-ray unit (Heliodent Plus) on the basis of objectifiable image quality parameters.!##!Methods!#!Anatomical, radiological and biological dental X-ray image quality parameters of a handheld dental X-ray device (Nomad Pro 2, Kavo Kerr, Biberach, Germany) were compared to a standard wall-mounted dental X-ray unit (Heliodent Plus, Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany) using a maxillofacial phantom. In addition, the effect of different operators (dentists, dental students, dental assistants) on the dental X-ray image quality was measured.!##!Results!#!HH and WM devices showed comparable image quality for anterior teeth, premolars, molars and bitewing images. During the two-month investigational period, the radiation exposure level for the operator of the Nomad Pro 2 was 0.1 mSv for 203 images. Dentists as the highest trained personnel enrolled in the study achieved better image quality with the Nomad Pro 2 as compared to dental students and dental assistants, especially in the molar region.!##!Conclusions!#!A HH device delivers a comparable image quality to a WM device. In addition, there seem to be short learning curves with regard to image acquisition when using a handheld device, which is further minimised by the previous training of the operating personnel. HH dental X-ray devices, such as the Nomad Pro 2 are a promising adjunct for dental radiology in cases where WM units are of limited practicability

Primary Orbital Reconstruction with Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of Patient-Specific Implants (PSIs): An Overview of 96 Surgically Treated Patients

Contemporary advances in technology have allowed the transfer of knowledge from industrial laser melting systems to surgery; such an approach could increase the degree of accuracy in orbital restoration. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of selective laser melted PSIs (patient-specific implants) and navigation in primary orbital reconstruction. Ninety-six patients with orbital fractures were included in this study. Planned vs. achieved orbital volumes (a) and angles (b) were compared to the unaffected side (n = 96). The analysis included the overlay of post-treatment on planned images (iPlan 3.0.5, Brainlab®, Feldkirchen, Germany). The mean difference in orbital volume between the digitally planned orbit and the postoperative orbit was 29.16 cm3 (SD 3.54, presurgical) to 28.33 cm3 (SD 3.64, postsurgical, t = 5.00, df = 95.00; p < 0.001), resulting in a mean volume difference (planned vs. postop) of less than 1 cm3. A 3D analysis of the color mapping showed minor deviations compared to the mirrored unaffected side. The results suggested that primary reconstruction in complex orbital wall fractures can be routinely achieved with a high degree of accuracy by using selective laser melted orbital PSIs

Extensive Craniocervical Abscess after Transoral Ganglionic Local Opioid Analgesia at the Superior Cervical Ganglion for Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia: Report of a Severely Complicated Case

Ganglionic local opioid analgesia (GLOA) describes the application of low-dose opioids close to sympathetic as, for example, to the superior cervical ganglion. GLOA can be effective in different pain syndromes affecting the head and face region and has been considered to be a safe technique with few complications reported so far. We present the case of a patient who received a single, transoral GLOA for a refractory trigeminal neuralgia. The patient subsequently developed an extensive epidural abscess at the craniocervical junction, requiring ultimately transoral odontoid resection and dorsal stabilisation. This severe complication challenges the role of transoral infiltration therapies in analgetic medicine

Simultaneous PSI-Based Orthognathic and PEEK Bone Augmentation Surgery Leads to Improved Symmetric Facial Appearance in Craniofacial Malformations

(1) The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of facial symmetry after simultaneous digitally planned patient-specific implant (PSI-) based orthognathic surgery and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) bone augmentation in patients with craniofacial malformations. (2) To evaluate the outcome of the two different surgical approaches (conventional PSI-based orthognathic surgery versus simultaneous PSI-based orthognathic surgery with PEEK bone augmentation), a comparison of five different groups with a combination of the parameters (A) with vs. without laterognathia, (B) syndromic vs. non-syndromic, and (C) surgery with vs. without PEEK bone augmentation was conducted. The digital workflow comprised cone beam CT (CBCT) scans and virtual surgery planning for all patients in order to produce patient specific cutting guides and osteosynthesis plates. Additionally, deformed skulls were superimposed by a non-deformed skull and/or the healthy side was mirrored to produce PSI PEEK implants for augmentation. Retrospective analyses included posterior–anterior conventional radiographs as well as en face photographs taken before and nine months after surgery. (3) Simultaneous orthognathic surgery with PEEK bone augmentation significantly improves facial symmetry compared to conventional orthognathic surgery (6.5%P (3.2–9.8%P) (p = 0.001). (4) PSI-based orthognathic surgery led to improved horizontal bone alignment in all patients. Simultaneous PEEK bone augmentation enhanced facial symmetry even in patients with syndrome-related underdevelopment of both soft and hard tissues

Sialolithiasis: retrospective analysis of the effect of an escalating treatment algorithm on patient-perceived health-related quality of life

Background!#!Gland preserving techniques in the treatment of sialolithiasis have continuously replaced radical surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate a multimodal treatment algorithm in the therapy of sialolithiasis and assess improvement of HRQoL perceived by patients.!##!Methods!#!Patients with sialolithiasis were treated by a multimodal treatment algorithm based on multiplicity of stones, stone size, affected gland, and stone position. The therapeutic spectrum ranged from conservative measures, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, interventional sialendoscopy, combined endoscopic-surgical procedures to surgical gland removal as ultima ratio. Outcomes were evaluated by surgeons by means of the electronic patient record and by patients themselves using a standardized questionnaire.!##!Results!#!87 patients treated for sialolithiasis were comprised in this study. The submandibular gland (SMG) was affected in 58.6% and the parotid gland (PG) in 41.4% of cases. Mean patient age was 41.67 years for SMG and 48.91 years for PG. In over 80% of cases sialolithiasis was associated with classic meal-related pain and swelling. Type and intensity of symptomatic sialolithiasis were not dependent on patient age or gender, nor could a relation between the affected gland and the occurrence of symptoms be demonstrated. Overall, 86.2% of cases were reported as cured using the multimodal step-by-step treatment algorithm. Resection of the affected gland could be dispensed in 98.9% of cases. According to patients pain could be reduced in 94.3% of cases.!##!Conclusions!#!The analyzed treatment algorithm of increasing invasiveness is a favorable and effective tool to successfully treat sialolithiasis in > 86% of cases. For the first time, the present study shows that patient-perceived improvement of HRQoL due to ease of symptoms has an even higher success rate of > 94%