Behnam Eslami

Giant cell tumor of bone express p63

p63 contributes to skeletal development and tumor formation; however, little is known regarding its activity in the context of bone and soft tissue neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to investigate p63 expression in giant cell tumor of bone and to determine whether it can be used to discriminate between other giant cell-rich tumors. Seventeen cases of giant cell tumor of bone were examined to determine the cell type expressing p63 and identify the isoforms present. Total RNA or cell protein was extracted from mononuclear- or giant cell-enriched fractions or intact giant cell tumor of bone and examined by RT-PCR or western blot, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate p63 expression in paraffin embedded sections of giant cell tumor of bone and in tumors containing multinucleated giant cells, including: giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, pigmented villonodular synovitis, aneurysmal bone cyst, chondroblastoma, and central giant cell granuloma. The mononuclear cell component in all cases of giant cell tumor of bone was found to express all forms of TAp63 (α, β, and γ), whereas only low levels of the TAp63 α and β isoforms were detected in multinucleated cells; ΔNp63 was not detected in these tumors. Western blot analysis identified p63 protein as being predominately localized to mononuclear cells compared to giant cells. This was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tumor sections, with expression identified in all cases of giant cell tumor of bone. Only a proportion of cases of aneurysmal bone cyst and chondroblastoma showed p63 immunoreactivity whereas it was not detected in central giant cell granuloma, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, or pigmented villonodular synovitis. The differential expression of p63 in giant cell tumor of bone and central giant cell granuloma suggest that these two tumors may have a different pathogenesis. Moreover, p63 may be a useful biomarker to differentiate giant cell tumor of bone from central giant cell granuloma and other giant cell-rich tumors, such as giant cell tumor of tendon sheath and pigmented villonodular synovitis.

Implant Placement in Patients with Oral Bisphosphonate Therapy: A Case Series

BACKGROUND Although the effect of bisphosphonates on dental implant osseointegration is not clear, dental implant failures attributable to oral bisphosphonate therapy have been reported in patients with osteoporosis. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate implant survival in patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy in a retrospective survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 46 ITI implants placed in 21 osteoporotic patients (females; average age 53 years, range 42-79 years) were evaluated with regard to probing depth, mobility, thread exposure, and bleeding on probing. All patients were under oral bisphosphonate therapy. RESULTS None of implants showed mobility and all patients could be considered free from peri-implantitis. Time of bisphosphonate therapy before and after implant insertion showed no statistically significant influence on PD, BOP, and TE. Likewise, implant location, prosthetic type, and opposing dentition had no statistically significant influence on the clinical and radiological parameters of implants. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, it could be concluded that neither being on oral bisphosphonate treatment before implant placement nor starting bisphosphonate therapy after implant installation might jeopardize the successful osseointegration and clinical and radiographic condition of the implants.

Autosomal dominant gigantiform cementoma associated with bone fractures

Here, we report a family with gigantiform cementomas, bone fractures, and autosomal dominant inheritance. Lesions are composed of benign, lobulated, calcified masses resembling cementum. Identification of a COL1A2 mutation in one patient was a polymorphism of no pathological significance. The subject of gigantiform cementomas and the associated bone disorder is both confusing and complex. Reported familial instances indicate genetic heterogeneity with (1) osteopenia and bone fractures, (2) one form of osteogenesis imperfecta, and (3) a polyostotic diaphyseal bone disorder.

Ameloblastoma associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma (Gorlin) syndrome

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms. The major criteria for the diagnosis are multiple cutaneous basal cell carcinomas, multiple odontogenic keratocysts of the jaw, palmar and plantar pits, and skeletal abnormalities. Here, we report an unusual case of NBCCS in a 68-year-old woman with late onset of clinical signs and symptoms and with an associated ameloblastoma. Only 4 other cases of this unusual association have been reported.

Diagnostic value of silver nitrate staining for nucleolar organizer regions in selected head and neck tumors

BACKGROUND The present study is aimed to assess the usefulness of silver nitrate staining of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) as a quantitative criterion for the diagnosis of selected head and neck tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The silver nitrate staining technique was used on 195 paraffin blocks collected from 85 patients. The samples consisted of 21 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of larynx, 28 SCC of oral mucosa and 36 samples of most common salivary gland tumors. Mann-Whitney U-Test was used for data analysis. RESULTS A significant difference was seen in the number of AgNOR dots between oral and laryngeal SCC with surrounding dysplastic and normal tissues (P < 0.001) and also between mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma with pleomorphic adenoma and normal salivary gland tissue (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The silver nitrate staining for NORs is a useful method for aiding the diagnosis of malignant and dysplastic mucosal lesions and also malignant and benign salivary gland tumors.