Granular cell tumor of the tongue in a 6-year-old girl : A case report

Granular cell tumor is a relatively uncommon benign hamartomatous lesion occurring in almost any part of the body. The tongue and the buccal mucosa are common intra oral sites. Granular cell lesions may be found in other diverse sites such as the jaw, skin, gastro intestinal tract and respiratory tract. The histogenesis of the lesion still remains unknown. However, histochemical and ultra structural studies propose the origin of the lesion from schwann cells, striated muscle, mesenchymal cells, histiocytes and epithelial cells. The tumor generally occurs in middle or older aged adults. The lesion is typically seen as an uninflammed asymptomatic mass measuring about two cms in diameter with a yellowish surface coloration. As most of the granular cell tumors are benign, surgical excision of the lesion is the treatment of choice. We describe a case of granular cell tumor of the tongue in a 6 year old girl along with a brief review of literature on granular cell tumors

Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumor: Review with Discussion

Aim: We report a case of calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor affecting maxilla in a 48 year old male patient presented with painless extensive intraoral swelling with unilocular radiolucency and marked resorption of roots on radiographs.Summary: Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) is rare developmental odontogenic pathology. The first description of lesion was given in 1962. Various terminologies and classifications have been proposed for description of the lesion. CCOT has extraosseous and intraosseous variants. Clinically it usually presents as a slow growing painless swelling of maxilla or mandible. It commonly involves anterior region of jaws, shows no gender predilection. Radiographically the lesion has variable appearance. The most common presentation is a well defined unilocular radiolucency associated with irregular calcification. Presence of ghost cells with proliferative odontogenic epithelium is the characteristic feature of the lesion. Surgical enucleation is the treatment of choice

Acupuncture Analgesia for Temporomandibular Disorders

Our understanding of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction has identified a myriad of causes for this condition. However, the outstanding concern and priority of treatment procedures are generally the same. It is a traditional procedure for the therapist to discover the cause of the pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular apparatus and then to correct it. This paper describes acupuncture as one such simple and effective treatment modality for managing pain associated with temporomandibular disorders

Nurses′ knowledge and education about oral care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Context: Oral health awareness and oral care are crucial aspects of oncology nursing practice. However very few studies concentrate on the oral care of cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment and nursing practice in the Indian subcontinent. Most of the published studies have been conducted in the Western and European countries. Aim: This study aimed to determine the nurses′ knowledge and education about oral care in cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Setting and design: A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 158 staff nurses working in oncology related areas from 4 different hospitals of Dakshina Kannada district and Udupi district of Karnataka state, India. Statistical Analysis: descriptive and inferential statistics was used by using SPSS 16 version. Results: Majority 81 (51.3%) of the staff nurses had poor knowledge of oral care in cancer patients whereas 87 (55.1%) reported that knowledge acquired through basic education in oral care is not sufficient. Most of the staff nurses 115 (72.8%) did not receive basic education in oral care of cancer patients. There was significant association between knowledge and variables such as designation (.005), years of work experience (.040) and years of experience in cancer wards (.000) at 0.05 levels. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge suggest the need to develop and implement continuing nursing education programs on oral care specifically for patients receiving cancer treatments, for improving knowledge of staff nurses′ in order to render comprehensive care to the patients. This study also recommends the importance of inclusion of cancer patient specific oral care in the curriculum which can enhance competency of the qualified nurses in cancer wards

Dental consultation in patients planned for/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers: A questionnaire-based survey

Background: Mouth and pharyngeal cancers account for approximately 6% of cancers worldwide. Radiotherapy is one of the means of treatment of head and neck cancer. Consultation with a dental team experienced in caring for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer will improve the quality of life of such patients. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the attitude of oncologists toward dental consultation to patients planning for/prior to/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and to evaluate the number of radiation oncologists who encounter oral complaints and consider worth referring to a dentist. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study was carried out following mailing of covering letter and self-administered questionnaire comprising 11 items, to 25 radiation oncology centers selected in India based on convenient sampling. Results: Out of the 25 centers, we received response from 20 centers with 60 completely filled questionnaires. Five centers did not respond for further correspondences. Conclusion: The study indicated a need for awareness and education among radiation oncologists regarding dental consultation in patients planned/undergoing /post radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

Morphological Assessment of TMJ Spaces, Mandibular Condyle, and Glenoid Fossa Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): A Retrospective Analysis

Background The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is included in the category of ginglymoarthrodial synovial joints. The mandibular condyle plays a vital part in the development of the craniofacial complex. Hence, the evaluation and assessment of the condylar volume and its morphology are of utmost importance. Aim The aim of this research was to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging modality to evaluate the morphology of the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa in a selected population and document any morphometric changes. Setting and Design It is an observational study. Materials and Methods A retrospective CBCT analysis was performed on 119 patients. The length, width, height, linear measurements of the joint spaces (anterior, posterior, and superior), volume of the condyle, and roof of glenoid fossa thickness were evaluated on both the left and right sides in both males and females. Results The height, width, and length of mandibular condyle were significantly increased in males on both sides. Except for the left anterior space, all other spaces were significantly larger in males. Overall, the volume of the condyles in males was significantly increased on both sides. Conclusion CBCT can be a valuable diagnostic aid in the evaluation of various dimensions, joint spaces, and condylar volume in different planes and thus, can be a useful predictor in the assessment of treatment outcomes of disorders affecting the TMJ

Detection of human papilloma virus in potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity and a study of associated risk factors

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is the 6 th most frequently occurring cancer worldwide, with over 400,000 cases projected annually. Multiple factors such as tobacco, alcohol, irradiation, virus, and chronic irritants are involved in the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). The most important risk factors are chronic exposure to tobacco and alcohol. Although the evidence that implicates virus is increasing, particularly (human papillomavirus [HPV]), in the carcinogenesis process, the role of virus is not well established. Aim and Objective: This study is designed to assess the presence of HPV in potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity as well as to correlate the presence of HPV with addictive habits and histopathological grading of the disease. Materials and Methods: Biopsy samples of OSCC and potentially malignant lesions were obtained and 3, 5 μm thickness sections were cut using a microtome. The sections were collected using a sterile brush and transferred to an Eppendorf tube. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of HPV were done. Results and Conclusion: The association between histopathological grading and presence of HPV was assessed using Chi-square test and the values thus obtained were found to be statistically significant. HPV was more predominantly seen in well-differentiated carcinomas and moderately differentiated carcinomas as compared to poorly differentiated carcinomas