Charles E. Tomich

Osteonecrosis of the mandible or maxilla associated with the use of new generation bisphosphonates.

Objective: The use of bisphosphonates is well established for the treatment of patients with metastatic bone disease, osteoporosis, and Pagets disease. Osteonecrosis of the mandible or maxilla associated with the use of bisphosphonates is a newly described entity never before discussed in the otolaryngology literature. In this paper, we review a series of patients diagnosed with osteonecrosis, all treated with new generation bisphosphonates. Our objective is to inform and educate others, particularly otolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons, about this drug induced entity, a condition that should be recognized early to avoid potential devastating consequences.

Focal cemento-osseous dysplasia: A clinicopathologic study of 221 cases

Classification of cemento-osseous lesions of the jaws has long been a dilemma for pathologists. A group of 221 cemento-osseous lesions exhibited sufficiently distinctive clinicopathologic features to be separated into a specific category: focal cemento-osseous dysplasia. This entity presents as an asymptomatic, focal, mixed radiolucent/radiopaque lesion with ill-defined borders in the tooth-bearing areas. It was found to occur with greater frequency in women (88%) and in the posterior mandible (77%). The average age at presentation was 37 years and a relative predilection for black patients was observed. At surgery these lesions were noted to be hemorrhagic, gritty, and adherent to the surrounding bone. The gross appearance of multiple hemorrhagic fragments is of diagnostic significance. Histologic features include a cellular connective tissue stroma punctuated by irregular osseous and/or cementum-like calcifications. Focal cemento-osseous dysplasia is thought to be of periodontal ligament origin and to be non-neoplastic in nature. Further surgical intervention is not necessary, but periodic follow-up is recommended, because occasional cases were observed to progress into florid osseous dysplasia. Care must be taken to differentiate focal cemento-osseous dysplasia from central cementifying and/or ossifying fibromas, which are true neoplasms and require surgical treatment.

Early soft tissue pathosis associated with impacted third molars without pericoronal radiolucency

OBJECTIVES This study was performed to histologically evaluate soft tissue pathosis in pericoronal tissues of impacted third molars that did not exhibit pathologic pericoronal radiolucency. STUDY DESIGN One hundred impacted third molars without evidence of abnormal pericoronal radiolucency (follicular space <2.0 mm) were removed for reasons other than participation in this study, and the pericoronal tissues were submitted for histopathologic examination. Specimens were fixed and processed routinely and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin before independent evaluation by each of 2 oral pathologists. A subset of both diseased and healthy tissues underwent additional evaluation for the presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for assessment of cellular activity. RESULTS Of the specimens submitted, 34% showed squamous metaplasia suggestive of cystic change equivalent to that found in dentigerous cysts. Soft tissue pathosis was significantly higher in patients over 21 years of age (P =.001). Five of 8 diseased specimens demonstrated PCNA uptake, whereas none of 10 healthy specimens were PCNA positive. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that radiographic appearance may not be a reliable indicator of the absence of disease within a dental follicle. We conclude that the incidence of soft tissue pathologic conditions is higher than generally assumed from radiographic examination alone.

Spindle cell lipoma of the oral cavity.

Spindle cell lipoma is typically seen in the neck/trunk region of middle-aged and older men. Rare cases of oral spindle cell lipoma have been reported. An entity described as myxoid lipoma of the oral cavity has rarely been reported but appears to be more properly classified as spindle cell lipoma. We describe the largest series yet of oral spindle cell lipoma involving the tongue (4), buccal mucosa (1), floor of mouth (1), and lip (1). The patients (3M; 4F) ranged from 31 to 88 years old. All presented with mass lesions. All were circumscribed and composed of mature adipocytes admixed with bland spindled cells. In two cases the adipocytes appeared atrophic, imparting a pseudo-lipoblastic appearance. No true lipoblasts were seen and none had the characteristic vasculature of a myxoid liposarcoma or the characteristic hyperchromatic cells of well-differentiated liposarcoma. The stromal background of all cases contained characteristic wiry collagen and myxoid ground substance. The myxoid ground substance was prominent in four cases. Immunohistochemical stains for CD34 highlighted the bland spindle cells in all cases. The combination of the histologic features and the immunoreactivity for CD34 confirmed the diagnosis. Spindle cell lipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity mesenchymal tumors.