Malcolm Harris

The production of a bone resorbing factor by dental cysts in vitro.

Summary Vital explants of nine dental cysts and one ameloblastoma were maintained in tissue culture with mouse calvaria for seven days. Eight produced marked bone resorption which was not seen when devitalised tissue was similarly cultured. It is proposed that dental cyst and tumour growth within bone is dependent on the synthesis and release of a potent bone resorbing factor.

Neurapraxia of the mylohyoid nerve and submental analgesia

Abstract Selective infiltration of the mylohyoid nerve with local anaesthetic solution consistently produced an area of submental analgesia identical to that which sporadically follows the removal of impacted third molars by the split bone technique. This transient analgesia would therefore appear to be due to neurapraxia of the mylohyoid nerve during lingual soft tissue retraction.

Fibrinolytic activity in dental cysts.

Abstract Cholesterol in cyst fluid and cholesterol-rich areas in cyst walls are common histologic findings. Concentrations of stainable iron particles in these mural aggregations suggest that the cholesterol is the breakdown product of erythrocyte membranes following hemorrhage. Quantitative and qualitative immunologic assays revealed significantly high concentrations of uncoagulable fibrin and fibrin-degradation product complexes in nineteen cyst fluids supporting this theory. Marked fibrinolytic activity was also detected in the cyst capsule, which may explain the presence of the lysed fibrin.

Disturbance of facial sensation

Abstract The anatomic and clinical pathologic aspects of disturbed facial sensation have been discussed, with references to published examples. Eleven cases of facial anesthesia have been described. Four of these were diagnosed as benign trigeminal neuropathy, a condition presumed to be a viral infection. The others were diagnosed as disseminated sclerosis, an acoustic neurofibroma, disseminated lupus erythematosis, hysteria, an unusual case of trauma, atypical facial neuralgia, and anesthesia dolorosa following section of the left trigeminal and glossopharyngeal roots.

The enigmatic chondrosarcoma of the maxilla

Abstract Like many rare tumors, the chondrosarcoma tends to arise in young adults. Unfortunately, the histologic appearance of this lesion can be deceptively benign, and one should take serious account of its size and invasiveness. In the case reported here, a maxillary chondrosarcoma recurred after an extended maxillectomy. Death followed direct cerebral invasion; no metastases were found elsewhere.

Pemphigoid (benign mucous membrane pemphigus).

Summary Four cases of pemphigoid are described, one with advanced occular lesions. The differential diagnosis of this condition and treatment are discussed together with the importance of anticipating ocular, oesophageal and tracheal lesions. As an association of severe oral pemphigoid with malignant neoplasia has been postulated references of five published cases are given.

Cherubism and the osteoclastoma

Abstract This report has described a case of cherubism in a young Greek-Cypriot who presented with a rapidly growing giant-cell lesion resembling a true osteoclastoma. In addition to this, a peripheral reparative giant-cell granuloma also developed. Although cherubism is accepted to be an innocent familial bone disorder, it is suggested that such cases may be randomly susceptible to the development of a true neoplasm.

The serological diagnosis of syphilis in dental patients

Summary Three hundred and forty-four dental patients were subjected to serological tests for syphilis over a period of 16 years. Only 24 gave positive results, of which half (12) were attributed to syphilis and the rest were to yaws or biological false positives. Both the arbitrary manner of selection and the small numbers exclude the possibility of discerning any trend. However, the difficulty of differentiating syphilis from yaws is emphasised.