Mario Muñoz

Effusion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Study of 123 Joints

PURPOSE Effusion is the term used by radiologists for a hyperintensity signal seen inside a joint on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to correlate the clinical and imaging features of this phenomenon, with the ultimate purpose of clarifying its meaning in dysfunctional processes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). PATIENTS AND METHODS The clinical histories of 111 patients (123 joints) with effusion on MRI were reviewed. Thirty-one patients (46 joints) with articular pathology but without effusion, chosen at randomized, served as a control group. Five clinical variables (articular pain, radiating pain, limited mouth opening, clicking, and clinical stage) and five imaging findings (disc displacement, effusion location, disc morphology, osteophytes, avascular necrosis, and osteochondritis dissecans) were evaluated. RESULTS Effusion in TMJ could be seen in relation to disc displacement and degenerative changes (osteophytes, avascular necrosis, osteochondritis dissecans). Clicking was more frequently found in TMJs without effusion. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that effusion may be a marker of articular degeneration in the TMJ.

Use of buccal fat pad to repair intraoral defects: review of 30 cases

The buccal fat pad has been frequently used for the closure of oro-antral and oro-nasal communications. There are a few studies in the literature reporting its use in defects secondary to tumoral resections. In this paper we consider both the anatomical basis and the surgical technique. We also review 30 cases, used for the repair of 15 defects due to tumoral resections, 8 to maxillary cysts, 6 to communications and 1 secondary to a postraumatic defect. It has been successful in 28 of the 29 patients, with a complete epithelization of the flap, even in 4 cases with partial necrosis of the pad. It is an acceptable type of reconstruction, versatile and of a simple surgical technique. However, its use is limited to small or medium defects, being sometimes scarce.

Papillary carcinoma arising in lingual thyroid

Lingual thyroid is a well-known developmental abnormality, malignant transformation of which is rare. This is a case report of a papillary carcinoma located in ectopic lingual thyroid tissue, in a 28-year-old white male. A search of the literature revealed only one more such report.

Quintuple cancers: report of a case with triple cancers in the head and neck

The incidence of multiple primary cancers is increasing. We report a case of quintuple cancers, two located in the genitourinary tract and three arising on the upper aerodigestive tract, two synchronous squamous cell carcinomas of the oral mucosa and another on the larynx. We also present a brief review of the literature.