Fabrício Bitu Sousa

Postoperative bleeding after dental extraction in liver pretransplant patients.

PURPOSE The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative bleeding after dental extraction in candidates for liver transplantation and the efficacy of the association of tranexamic acid and absorbable hemostatic sponges. PATIENTS AND METHODS All individuals referred for oral health evaluation requiring extraction were considered in this study. Patients were included in the analysis when the blood examinations showed a platelet count of 30,000/mm(3) or greater and an international normalized ratio (INR) of 3.0 or less. In group 1 local pressure was applied by use of gauze soaked with tranexamic acid, and in group 2 gauze without tranexamic acid was used. Absorbable hemostatic sponges and cross sutures were used as a standard hemostatic measure. RESULTS In the 23 patients included in this study, 84 simple extractions were performed during 35 dental surgical procedures. The main preoperative blood tests found the following: a mean hematocrit level of 34.54% (SD, 5.84%; range, 21.7%-44.4%), platelet counts from 31,000/mm(3) to 160,000/mm(3), and a mean INR of 1.50 (SD, 0.39; range, 0.98-2.59). Postoperative bleeding occurred during only 1 procedure (2.9%), and local pressure with gauze was effective for achieving hemostasis. No statistically significant difference in the time to hemostasis was found between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS This study found a low risk of bleeding for tooth extractions in patients with liver cirrhosis, INRs of 2.50 or less, and platelet counts of 30,000/mm(3) or greater. Blood transfusions were not needed, and in the case of postoperative bleeding, the use of local hemostatic measures was satisfactory.

Effect of different doses of zoledronic acid in establishing of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis

OBJECTIVES To establish osteonecrosis of the jaws in rats treated with different doses of zoledronic acid (ZA). METHODS Male Wistar rats (n=6-7) received three consecutive weekly intravenous ZA infusions at doses of 0.04, 0.20 or 1.00mg/kg ZA or saline (control). Four weeks after the last administration, the animals were submitted to simple extraction of the lower left first molar. An additional dose of ZA was administered seven days later, and the animals were sacrificed 28 days after exodontia. Weight was measured and blood was collected weekly for analysis. The jaw was radiographically and microscopically examined along with the liver, spleen, kidney and stomach. RESULTS All ZA doses showed a higher radiolucent area than the control (p<0.0001), but the dose of 0.04mg/kg did not show BRONJ. Doses of 0.20 and 1.00mg/kg ZA showed histological evidence of bone necrosis (p=0.0004). Anaemia (p<0.0001, r(2)=0.8073) and leucocytosis (p<0.0001, r(2)=0.9699) are seen with an increase of lymphocytes (p<0.0001, r(2)=0.6431) and neutrophils and monocytes (p=0.0218, r(2)=0.8724) in all the animals treated with an increasing dose of ZA. Haemorrhage and ectasia were observed in the spleen (p=0.0004) and stomach (p=0.0168) in a dose-dependent manner, and the animals treated with ZA showed a lower rate of weight gain (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS We designed a bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw model that reproduces radiographic and histological parameters and mimics clinical alterations such as leucocytosis, anaemia and idiosyncratic inflammatory post infusion reactions.

Oxygen metabolism in oral cancer: HIF and GLUTs (Review)

Oral cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a poor prognosis. This has encouraged additional studies into factors that may affect the development of this disease. The biological behavior of malignant neoplasms is complex. Studies have investigated the energy metabolism of tumor cells, in an endeavor to elucidate the tumor biology. The identification of molecular signatures and mechanisms, in order to understand tumor progression, may facilitate the identification of novel predictive and prognostic markers. Pathways that influence tumor progression, such as those involving hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins, have been the targets of recent studies.

Molecular Analysis of Oral Bacteria in Heart Valve of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

AbstractStructural deficiencies and functional abnormalities of heart valves represent an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and a number of diseases, such as aortic stenosis, have been recently associated with infectious agents. This study aimed to analyze oral bacteria in dental plaque, saliva, and cardiac valves of patients with cardiovascular disease. Samples of supragingival plaque, subgingival plaque, saliva, and cardiac valve tissue were collected from 42 patients with heart valve disease. Molecular analysis of Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola was performed through real-time PCR. The micro-organism most frequently detected in heart valve samples was the S. mutans (89.3%), followed by P. intermedia (19.1%), P. gingivalis (4.2%), and T. denticola (2.1%). The mean decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) was 26.4 ± 6.9 (mean ± SD), and according to the highest score of periodontal disease observed for each patient, periodontal pockets > 4 mm and dental calculus were detected in 43.4% and 34.7% of patients, respectively. In conclusion, oral bacteria, especially S. mutans, were found in the cardiac valve samples of patients with a high rate of caries and gingivitis/periodontitis.

Experimental model of traumatic ulcer in the cheek mucosa of rats

PURPOSE To establish an experimental model of traumatic ulcer in rat cheek mucosa for utilization in future alternative therapy studies. METHODS A total of 60 adult male rats (250 - 300g) were used. Ulceration of the left cheek mucosa was provoked by abrasion using a nº 15 scalpel blade. The animals were observed for 10 days, during which they were weighed and their ulcers were measured. The histological characteristics were analyzed and scored according to the ulcer phase. In the statistical analysis, a value of p<0.01 was considered a statistically significant response in all cases. RESULTS During the five first days, the animals lost weight (Student t test, p<0.01). The ulcerated area receded linearly over time and was almost completely cicatrized after 10 days (ANOVA, Tendency posttest, p<0.0001). Groups on days 1, 2 and 3 days displayed similar results, but a decrease in scores were observed after the 4th day. CONCLUSION The proposed cheek mucosa ulcer model in rats can be considered an efficient, low-cost, reliable, and reproducible method.

Influence of Educational Level, Stage, and Histological Type on Survival of Oral Cancer in a Brazilian Population: A Retrospective Study of 10 Years Observation

Abstract The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is estimated at approximately 12,300 deaths per year, and the survival rate is only 40% to 50% for diagnosed patients and is closely related to the duration of time between disease perception and its diagnosis and treatment. Socioeconomic risk factors are determinants of the incidence and mortality related to oral cancer. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 573 records of patients with oral cancer at Haroldo Juaçaba Hospital – Cancer Institute of Ceará from 2000 to 2009 to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors on survival and epidemiological behavior of this neoplasia in a Brazilian population. In this study, patients with oral cancer were males greater than 60 years of age, presented squamous cell carcinoma in the floor of mouth and were characterized by low education levels. A total of 573 lesions were found in oral cavities. Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that the histological type, tumor stage, and low degree of education significantly influenced survival. A lower patient survival rate was correlated with a more advanced stage of disease and a worse prognosis. Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with a higher mortality when compared with other histological types of malign neoplasia.

TNF-alpha expression, evaluation of collagen, and TUNEL of Matricaria recutita L. extract and triamcinolone on oral ulcer in diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease associated with delayed wound healing of oral ulcers by increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and cellular apoptosis. Objective to evaluate the influence of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and apoptosis in rats with DM treated with chamomile extract or triamcinolone. Material and Methods Wistar male rats (210.0±4.2 g) were divided into five groups: negative control group (NCG) without diabetes; positive control group (PCG) with DM (alloxan, 45 mg/kg); and groups treated with chamomile extract (normoglycemic= NCG group and diabetic= DCG group) and with triamcinolone (TG). Traumatic ulcers were performed on all animals that received topical triamcinolone, chamomile extract or saline 12/12 hours for ten days. Results On days five and ten the animals were euthanized and the ulcers were analyzed by light microscopy, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemically (TNF-α). The NCG (p=0.0062), PCG (p=0.0285), NCG (p=0.0041), and DCG (p<0.0001) groups were completely healed on the 10th day, however, there was no healing on the TG (p=0.5127) group. The TNF-α expression showed a significant reduction from the 5th to the 10th day in NCG (p=0.0266) and DCG (p=0.0062). In connective tissue, the TUNEL assay showed a significant reduction in the number of positive cells in NCG (p=0.0273) and CNG (p=0.0469) and in the epithelium only in CDG (p=0.0320). Conclusions Chamomile extract can optimize the healing of traumatic oral ulcers in diabetic rats through the reduction of apoptosis in the epithelium and TNF-α expression.

Clinicopathological study of patients with head and neck sarcomas

UNLABELLED Sarcomas are rare tumors, mainly stemming from the embryonic mesoderm, with a high grade of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE To carry out a retrospective study of head and neck sarcoma cases between 1999 and 2008 in three specialized centers in the city of Fortaleza. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data collection was based on the charts of the patients in the study. For statistical analysis purposes we used the chi-square associations and the z test for proportions. RESULTS We found records of 36 patients, and the most affected ones were adult brown males, in the age range between 20 and 59 years--mean age of 39.7. The man/woman ratio was 1.76:1. The most prevalent histological type was the rhabdomyosarcoma and their most common locations were the face and the neck. Most of the sample was made up of live patients without evidence of the disease in the last visit--41.6% of the cases. The most common treatment modes were the combination of surgery + radiotherapy + chemotherapy and surgery + radiotherapy, with 27.8% of the cases each. CONCLUSION Sarcomas have a great histological variability and may have numerous locations. Since these are rare and not well-known lesions, new epidemiological studies must be carried out in order to enhance our understanding of the disease.

Asymptomatic bilateral palatal swelling as a rare initial presentation of a rapidly progressive and fatal disease in an elderly man.

An elderly man was referred to the Clinic of Stomatology, Federal University of Ceará (Sobral, Brazil) complaining of an asymptomatic intraoral swelling. Previously, he was diagnosed with a palatal nodule during a dental consultation for oral prosthetic rehabilitation. His past medical history showed a controlled systemic hypertension not associated with other underlying diseases. The patient denied any functional impairment, respiratory distress, fever or weight loss. Intraorally, a firm diffused bilateral swelling on the hard palate covered by a non-ulcerated red-purple tissue was observed (Fig. 1a). Radiographically, imaging signs were unremarkable. Laboratory parameters showed thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and anemia. An incisional biopsy was carried out. Microscopically (Fig. 1b), a proliferation of diffused lymphocytic infiltrate constituted by numerous lymphocytes of small size was observed. The immunohistochemical panel showed a diffuse positivity pattern to cyclin D1, CD5, Bcl-2, CD20 and CD45. The neoplastic lymphocytes showed negative immunohistochemical staining to AE1/AE3, CD3, CD10 and Bcl-6. Ki-67 immunoreaction was evident in more than 80% of the malignant cells. The

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis due to Odontogenic Infection: An unusual Case Report

A 21-year-old normossemic patient sought care in an emergency hospital with a major complaint of neck swelling and pain to breathe, talk, eat and drink water, presenting anodontogenic infection of the lower right first molar tooth that evolved for 9 days with no previous medical assistance. The clinical aspect showed (Figure 1) redness and extensive swelling of hardened consistency of neck, submandibular, submental and sublingual spaces bilaterally, trismus, dysphasia, dyspnea, dehydration, speech alteration and limited cervical mobilization. The diagnostic hypothesis was deep cervical infection and descending mediastinitis arising from Ludwig’s Angina at the expense of a dental infection source. Due to the clinical characteristics presented, complementary exams were requested for diagnostic assistance: chest, neck and face CTs, complete blood count, hemoculture, antibiogram, renal function markers and rapid HIV test (as the request of the patient).