The quality of internet information relating to oral leukoplakia

Objectives: The Internet provides great opportunities for patient healthcare education, but poses risks that inaccurate, outdated or harmful information will be disseminated. Our objective was determine the quality of the information available on the internet in relation to oral leukoplakia. Study design: Sites were identified using 3 search engines (Google, Yahoo and MSN), and the search term ?oral leukoplakia?. The first 100 consecutive sites in each search were visited and classified. The websites were evaluated for quality of content by using the validated DISCERN rating instrument and the JAMA benchmarks; the existence of the Health on the Net (HON) seal was also registered. Results: The Google search yielded 54.300 sites for oral leukoplakia, while Yahoo yielded 243.000 and MSN 103.000. We reviewed 21 Google websites, 20 Yahoo websites and 19 MSN. Based on the JAMA benchmarks, only 4 sites (19.1%) met the four criteria in the Google search, versus 2 sites (10%) in the Yahoo and 5 (26.3%) in MSN. With the DISCERN instrument, no site obtained the maximum score, with Google 13 sites presented serious deficiencies (61.9%), in the Yahoo search 14 (70%), and in MSN 15 (78.9%). Lastly, 4 of the Google sites (19.1%), four of the Yahoo sites (20%) and 2 (10.5%) MSN sites presented the HON seal. Conclusions: The quality of the health care information related to oral leukoplakia on the internet is poo

Comparison of pain and swelling after removal of oral leukoplakia with CO2 laser and cold knife: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare conventional surgery with carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in patients with oral leukoplakia, and to evaluate the postoperative pain and swelling. Study design: A total of 48 patients (27 males and 21 females) with a mean age of 53.7 ± 11.7 years and diagnosed with oral leukoplakia were randomly assigned to receive treatment either with conventional surgery using a cold knife or with a CO2 laser technique. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score pain and swelling at different postoperative time points. Results: Pain and swelling reported by the patients was greater with the conventional cold knife than with the CO2 laser, statistically significant differences for pain and swelling were observed between the two techniques during the first three days after surgery. Followed by a gradual decrease over one week. In neither group was granuloma formation observed, and none of the patients showed malignant transformation during the period of follow-up. Conclusions: The CO2 laser causes only minimal pain and swelling, thus suggesting that it may be an alternative method to conventional surgery in treating patients with oral leukoplakia

Fungiform papillae density in patients with burning mouth syndrome and xerostomia

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze fungiform papillae density in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and xerostomia. Study design: In this cross-sectional clinical study, sixty patients were included (20 with BMS, 20 with xerostomia and 20 healthy controls). The fungiform papillae density was analyzed over a small region on the anterior tip of the tongue with the aid of a digital camera. The number of papillae was measured in an area of 19 mm2. Results: The patients with BMS showed significantly higher fungiform papillae density than the patients with xerostomia; though no statistically significant differences were recorded versus the control group. In the BMS group, 65% of all cases presented a density of 71-90 papillae (within an area of 19 mm2), while 10% had more than 90 papillae. On the contrary, 70% of the patients with xerostomia had fewer than 70 papillae in the studied area. Conclusions: The digital camera offers a rapid, noninvasive and relatively simple way to study fungiform papillae density. The patients with BMS have higher fungiform papillae density than the patients with xerostomia

Short-term effect of zoledronic acid upon fracture resistance of the mandibular condyle and femoral head in an animal model

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects in terms of resistance to fracture of the mandibular condyle and femoral head following different doses of zoledronic acid in an animal model. Study design: A total of 80 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in a prospective randomized study. The animals were randomly divided into four groups of 20 rats each. Group 1 (control) received sterile saline solution, while groups 2, 3 and 4 received a accumulated dose of 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg and 0.6 mg of zoledronic acid, respectively. The animals were sacrificed 28 days after the last dose, and the right hemimandible and the right femur were removed. The fracture strength was measured (in Newtons) with a universal test machine using a 1 kN load connected to a metal rod with one end angled at 30 degrees. The cross-head speed was 1 mm/min. Later, the specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope with backscattered electron imaging (SEM- BSE). At last, chemical analysis and elemental mapping of the mineral bone composition were generated using a microanalytical system based on energy-dispersive and X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Results: A total of 160 fracture tests were performed. The fracture resistance increased in mandible and femur with a higher accumulated dose of zoledronic acid. Statistically significant differences were recorded versus the controls with all the studies groups. The chemical analysis in mandible showed a significantly increased of calcium and phosphorous to compare the control with all of the study groups; however, in femur no statistically significant differences between the four study groups were observed. Conclusions: The administration of bisphosphonates increases the fracture resistance in mandible and femur

Queilitis granulomatosa de Miescher: presentación de cinco casos

La queilitis granulomatosa de Miescher (QG), consiste en la aparición de edema labial recurrente en uno o ambos labios, el cual puede llegar a ser persistente. Ha sido considerada tradicionalmente, como una forma monosintomática del síndrome de Melkersson Rosenthal, descrito como la asociación de edema labial y/o facial recurrente, parálisis facial recidivante y lengua fisurada. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una serie de 5 casos diagnosticados clínica e histopatológicamente de QG, que acudieron a la consulta de la Unidad Docente de Medicina Bucal de la Universidad de Murcia. Se realizó un estudio completo de estos pacientes, valoramos la edad y el sexo, antecedentes familiares, localización y curso de los signos y síntomas. Llevamos a cabo diversos exámenes complementarios, estudiándose las características hemáticas (hemograma, velocidad de eritrosedimentación, fórmula leucocitaria y estudio inmunológico), e histopatológicas. El tratamiento consistió en corticoides intralesionales, combinado en algunos casos con fármacos antileprosos o corticoides sistémicos. En todos los casos obtuvimos una buena respuesta al tratamiento.Miescher's cheilitis granulomatosa (CG) consists of the appearance of recurrent labial edema on one or both lips, which can become persistent. It has traditionally been considered as a monosymptomatic form of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, described as the association of recurrent labial and/or recurrent facial edema, relapsing facial paralysis and fissured tongue. The aim of this study is to present a series of five clinically and histopathologically diagnosed cases of CG that came to our clinic at the Teaching Unit of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Murcia. A complete study of these patients evaluated the age, sex, family history, and location and course of the signs and symptoms. Various complementary examinations were carried out, studying the hematic characteristics (hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocyte count), including immunological and histopathological studies. The treatment consisted of intralesional corticoids, combined in some cases with anti-leprous drugs or systemic corticoids. A good response to treatment was obtained in all cases

Study of lip hydration with application of photoprotective lipstick : influence of skin phototype, size of lips, age, sex and smoking habits

Objectives: To study lip hydration levels when applying a lipstick sunscreen for 3 months and to evaluate the influence of size of lips, age, sex, smoking and skin phototype. Study design: The study group was formed by 140 volunteer subjects, one group consisting of 70 patients applying a commercial lipstick sunscreen three times a day and the other group of 70 controls in which no product was applied. The age range was 20-86 years. The influence in lip hydration levels of age, sex, phototype, size of the lips and smoking habits was studied using a Corneometer 825® (Courage and Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany). Results: An increase in lip hydration was found between the basal (53.49 ± 15.259) and final (59.34 ± 14.51) Corneometer 825® (Courage and Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) measurements over the three months of treatment, with statistically significant differences with respect to the control (p=0.002). However, no statistically significant differences in lip hydration were observed with regard to age, (p=0.48), gender (p=0.876), skin phototype (p=0.653), lip area (p=0.291) and smoking (p=0.178). Conclusions: Application of a lipstick sunscreen 3 times a day for 3 months increases lip hydratio

Analysis of the histopathological artifacts in punch biopsies of the normal oral mucosa

Objectives: To study the most frequent artifacts of punch biopsies of the healthy oral mucosa, distinguishing between those attributable to the surgical technique and those resulting from sample processing in the laboratory. Study design: A total of 186 samples of oral mucosa (dorsal lingual mucosa) were obtained from 186 adult albino rats by the experienced oral surgeons, evaluating the presence of artifacts attributable to the surgical technique (crush, splits, fragmentation, pseudocysts and haemorrhage) and those attributable to sample processing in the laboratory (orientation). Results: The distribution of artifacts attributable to the surgical procedure was as follows: crush 16.67%, splits 0%, fragmentation 0%, pseudocysts 1.08% and hemorrhage 0%. The artifacts corresponding to sample processing in the laboratory (orientation) represented 37.63%. Conclusions: The present study shows use of the punch for obtaining biopsies of the healthy oral mucosa to produce few artifacts. In addition, good or poor orientation of the samples is not attributable to the surgical technique but to processing of the samples in the laboratory

Effects of plasma rich in growth factors on wound healing of the tongue. Experimental study in rabbits

Objectives: To apply autologous Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) in wounds provoked in the tongue of New Zealand albino rabbits and to study its effects in the epithelialization and inflammation of the wounds at 7 and 28 days after its application.Study Design: A prospective study carried out on 20 adult rabbits. Two wounds were made on the midline of the dorsal surface of the tongue in each animal, one control, and the other in which PRGF was applied. A histological study of the epithelialization and inflammation of wounds at 7 and 28 days was made.Results: At 7 days were not observed differences between the study group and the control, nevertheless at 28 days all the wounds in which we applied the PRGF were completely epithelialized and with resolution of the inflammatory process, finding significant differences with respect to the control (p=0.031) and (p=0.023).Conclusions: The PRGF accelerates epithelialization and reduces inflammation at 28 days of provoking wounds in the oral mucosa