Carlos Augusto Ferreira Alves

Keratocystic odontogenic tumors and Carnoy’s solution: results and complications assessment

OBJECTIVE Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) can be treated with Carnoys solution, although this treatment modality is not free from complications. It is important to verify the incidence of complications after the use of Carnoys solution and compare these with the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study verified the effects of a complementary treatment for KOTs and assessed the incidence of such complications as recurrence, infection, sequestrum formation, mandibular fracture, dehiscence, and neuropathy. RESULTS Twenty-two KOTs treated with Carnoys solution combined with peripheral ostectomy were included, and the follow-up period varied from 12 to 78months with a mean of 42.9months. Complications included recurrence (4.5%), dehiscence (22.7%), infection (4.5%), and paresthesia (18.2%). No difference was found among lesions associated (9.1%) or not (0%) with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (P>0.05). Dehiscence was influenced by marsupialization (P<0.05), and paresthesia was observed exclusively in cases of mandibular canal fenestration (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Complementary treatment with Carnoys solution and peripheral ostectomy appear to provide efficient treatment for KOTs. Complications originating from the use of the solution are less frequent and less serious than complications associated with cryotherapy. Neuropathy seems to be related to direct contact between the solution and the epineurium.

Pleomorphic Multicentric Adenoma in the Submandibular Gland

Neoplasms of salivary glands represent a small group among the diseases involving the head and neck complex. In this group, the pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent neoplasm, yet involves the submandibular gland in only 12.3% of cases. A patient presenting a swelling in the region of the submandibular gland was submitted to an incisional biopsy, where a fragment of the gland and one juxtaposed node were removed. Histologically they were defined as pleomorphic adenoma. Later, the patient was submitted to submandibulectomy and two other nodes were found close to the gland and removed. All specimens were histologically defined as pleomorphic adenoma. This multicentric finding is of great interest, perhaps explaining the recurrence rate of this neoplasm. The patient is in continuous follow-up and has not presented signs of recurrence.

Reclassification and treatment of odontogenic keratocysts: A cohort study

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a recurrent cyst that has been recently reclassified from an odontogenic tumor to an odontogenic cyst. The aim of the present study was to investigate its treatment and address issues related to its association with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). Lesions from the cohort of patients included in the present study consisted of 40 OKCs, of which 27 lesions were treated by enucleation (GE) and 13 underwent decompression (GD). Complementary treatment occurred in 38 (95%) lesions, of which 10 underwent isolated peripheral ostectomy (GO) and 28 underwent peripheral ostectomy combined with Carnoys solution (GC). Thirteen lesions were associated with NBCCS (GS), while the others (n=27) were non-syndromic lesions (GnS). The recurrence-free periods (RFP) in the sample groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier function and log-rank test at a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) and were used to calculate the cumulative risk of recurrence (CRR) in each postoperative year. During the follow-up period, which had a mean of 43.5 months (range: 12-102 months), six (15%) recurrences were diagnosed. There was no significant difference among the RFP for the compared groups (p > 0.05) or increased CRR for the decompression (15.4%) over five years. Application of Carnoys solution did not increase the efficacy of the peripheral ostectomy, but was related to a CRR of 0% for the syndromic lesions over five years. Therefore, 1) decompression did not increase the recurrence risk; 2) peripheral ostectomy demonstrated a similar efficacy as the combination with Carnoys solution; 3) the association of NBCCS did not seem to significantly influence OKC recurrence; and 4) syndromic lesions seem to behave in the same manner as non-syndromic lesions when submitted to complementary treatments.

Intramuscular lipoma in the temporal region: a case report

Few reports of intramuscular lipoma in the temporal region are seen in the literature. Because of its invasives characteristics, this neoplasm may be mistaken as a liposarcoma. Although image exams help in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lipomatous lesions, the histopathological exam is the only one capable of a definitive diagnosis. Total removal of the lesion is essential because the recurrence rate without complete excision may be as high as 62.5 %. A patient with an intramuscular lipoma located in the temporal region is presented along with the mentioned treatment. Great importance should be given to these uncommon lesions that may present as a challenge to professionals that work in the maxillofacial region.

Late treatment of a mandibular gunshot wound

Mandibular gunshot injuries are esthetically and functionally devastating, causing comminuted fractures and adjacent tissue destruction depending on the weapon gauge, projectile shape, impact kinetic energy, and density of the injured structures. If the mandibular fracture is not adequate or promptly treated, the broken fragments will fail to heal. In case of a treatment delay, progressive bone loss and fracture contracture will require a customized approach, which includes open reduction, removal of fibrous tissue between the bony stumps, and fixation of the fracture with a reconstruction plate and autogenous graft. The authors report the case of a 34-year-old man wounded on the mandible 15 years ago. With the aid of computed tomography and a prototype, a surgical plan was designed including open reduction and internal fixation of the segmental mandibular defect with a reconstruction plate and bone graft harvested from the iliac crest. The postoperative follow-up was uneventful and the 12-month follow up showed a positive aesthetic and functional result.