Amanda Leal Rocha

Dental care before cardiac valve surgery: Is it important to prevent infective endocarditis?

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious disease that affects the surface of the endocardium. The spread of microorganisms from the oral cavity has been associated with the occurrence of IE. Objective To analyze whether dental treatment before cardiac valve surgery (CVS) influenced the occurrence of IE. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical and dental histories of patients undergoing CVS from 2004 to 2014. The sample consisted of 481 patients who underwent CVS divided into two groups: patients submitted to dental treatment prior to CVS (n = 110) and patients undergoing CVS without dental treatment (n = 371). Results Of the total sample, 38 patients (8%) were diagnosed with IE. No significant difference was detected (p = 0.496) in comparing the occurrence of IE in the group with dental preparation (6.4%) and without dental preparation (8.4%). The logistic regression model confirmed that dental treatment did not change the IE risk (p = 0.504) and indicated that age (p < 0.003) and gender (p = 0.013) were significant risk factors for IE. There was a high demand for dental procedures in the group receiving dental preparation, with no significant differences between the patients with or without IE. Hemoculture indicated qualitative differences in comparing patients with and without dental treatment, especially in the frequency of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Conclusions The results did not allow for the determination of the impact of dental treatment before CVS on IE outcomes. However, it was not possible to exclude the potential beneficial effects of dental treatment in the prevention of IE.

Intraoral granulocytic sarcoma as a manifestation of myelofibrosis: A case report and review of the literature

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is an extramedullary tumor associated with myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative diseases. Intraoral manifestations are considered uncommon, with a reasonable number of cases, and are mostly related to leukemia. The association of oral GS and myelofibrosis is very rare and only three cases have been published. In this paper, we report the fourth case of oral lesion in a patient with a diagnosis of myelofibrosis. The aim of this study was to present a review of the literature, discussing the current and previous cases of oral GS associated with myelofibrosis or other hematological disorders and the importance of accurate diagnosis through clinical, microscopic, and immunohistochemical features.

Dental management for patients undergoing heart valve surgery

This study sought to review current guidelines and the most optimal dental management for patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Severe Periodontal Disease Associated with Long-Term Treatment with Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used in the treatment of neuropathy. This case report presents, for the first time, a patient with severe periodontal destruction after chronic therapy with IVIG. The patient reported having extracted his maxillary anterior teeth himself due to high mobility. Clinical examination and radiographic images show a generalized and severe periodontitis. No significant alterations in genetic or microbiological features were observed. The present case suggests that periodontal disease aggravation could be considered a new adverse effect of IVIG therapy. Postulated mechanisms are immune complexes formation, complement activation, and a direct effect in osteoclasts. In conclusion, it is important that patients that will receive IVIG treatment underwent dental evaluation.