Mitsuyoshi Iino

Evaluation of 15 mandibular reconstructions with Dumbach Titan Mesh-System and particulate cancellous bone and marrow harvested from bilateral posterior ilia

This study reports on 15 mandibular reconstructions using the Dumbach Titan Mesh-System and particulate cancellous bone and marrow harvested from bilateral posterior ilia. All cases showed segmental defects. Eleven cases involved patients with malignant tumor. Six patients had received irradiation of 40-50 Gy. Reconstructions were performed immediately in 1 patient and secondarily in the remaining 14 patients. In 13 cases, mandibles were successfully reconstructed. Of these 13 patients, 9 reconstructions were completed without complications, whereas the other 4 cases showed complications. In 2 cases, reconstruction failed completely. Overall success rate was 87%. Statistical analysis revealed the extent of mandibular defect, but not malignancy of the original disease or radiotherapy of <or=50 Gy, as a significant factor in the occurrence of postoperative complications. Although no significant correlation was identified, cases in which mandibular continuity was lost at the time of reconstruction tended to show a higher postoperative complication rate. These results suggest that for the management of patients with malignant disease, resected mandible and soft tissue should be properly reconstructed using the metal plate and soft tissue flap at the time of cancer ablation surgery to reduce postreconstructive complications. Preoperative fabrication of the titanium mesh using a 3-dimensional skull model is expected to improve surgical outcomes.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland: report of a case with an unusual malignant component of clear cell squamous cell carcinoma

A large carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) with regional lymph node metastasis occurred in the left submandibular gland of a 64-year-old man. Initially, the patient underwent tumor extirpation and ipsilateral radical neck dissection. Histologic examination revealed the malignant component of CXPA was clear cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is quite uncommon in head and neck region. In the metastatic regional lymph nodes, aggregates of clear cells were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of CXPA of which the malignant component is clear cell SCC. Four months after the postoperative radiotherapy, delayed regional metastasis became evident in the contralateral side of the neck. Radical neck dissection was carried out, and, microscopically, moderately differentiated SCC was identified. The patient recovered well and remained free of disease for 29 months after the second surgery.

Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma into the Mandible with Radiographic Findings Mimicking a Radicular Cyst: A Case Report

INTRODUCTIONnHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common neoplasm worldwide, with more than half of the tumors associated with regional metastasis. Extrahepatic metastasis is also common, and the most frequently affected sites are the lungs, abdominal lymph nodes, diaphragm, and bone. However, HCC metastasis to the mandible is rare, with approximately 50 cases reported in the literature.nnnMETHODSnIn this report, we describe a case of HCC metastasis to the mandible at the apex of #18 root in a 62-year-old man. This patient had already been diagnosed with metastasis to pancreatic caput lymph node. The radiographic features of the mandible resembled radicular cyst and did not show typical findings of malignancy.nnnRESULTSnUnder the first diagnosis of radicular cyst, root canal treatment was initially performed, and then surgical treatment of the removal of the cystic lesion and #18 extraction were performed. Finally, the lesion was diagnosed as HCC metastasis from pathological examination. Consequently, he received constitutional chemotherapy in the hepatitis unit and is now in remission.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis case shows the importance of considering the differential diagnosis of malignancy.

Clinical application of artificial bone in the maxillofacial region

Hard tissue reconstruction is very useful for bony defects of the maxillofacial region. Autogenous bone, allogeneic bone, and artificial bone have been used to reconstruct maxillofacial bone; however, the use of autogenous bone involves high surgical invasiveness because of the need to harvest the bone. The use of allogeneic bone is associated with infections, raises ethical concerns, and is not widely used in Japan. Artificial bone has several advantages, including no need for bone harvesting, excellent biocompatibility, and a relatively easy surgical procedure. Use of artificial bone avoids the much greater invasiveness of harvesting bone, and several types of artificial bone have been developed. Design requirements for artificial bone include surgical manipulability, structural compatibility with the defective area, support properties, and the ability to induce bone regeneration; however, no artificial bone meeting all these requirements has yet been developed. Artificial bone is used in many patients in our medical center, and we have been active in developing the next generation of artificial bone with better properties. In this article, we present a case history and discuss the future development of artificial bone for use in maxillofacial reconstruction.

Cyclooxygenase-2 activity is important in craniofacial fracture repair.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 on bone repair after craniofacial fracture in mice. A 4-mm fracture was created in the parietal bone of 8-week-old male COX-2 wild-type (COX-2(+/+)) and knockout (COX-2(-/-)) mice. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the fractured bone and analysed. For morphological and histological analysis, the mice were killed 8 and 12 weeks after treatment, and sections were prepared. Three-dimensional computed tomography was performed, and the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histological examination. Expression of COX-2 messenger ribonucleic acid was induced in COX-2(+/+) mice, but not in COX-2(-/-) mice. Ossification at the fracture site was almost complete 12 weeks after fracture in COX-2(+/+) mice. In COX-2(-/-) mice, incomplete union had occurred at the fracture site. In both types of mice, the fracture site contained no cartilaginous tissue, and the callus formed from the periosteal side. These results suggest that COX-2 plays an important role in craniofacial fracture repair and that COX-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might interfere with fracture repair of the membranous viscerocranium in the clinical setting.

Evaluation and analysis of formation of bone at the palate in patients with cleft lip and palate after palatoplasty based on computed tomograms and three-dimensional data

Abstract There are various techniques for palatoplasty, but no studies of postoperative osteogenesis at the palatal fissure. In the cranial and maxillofacial region it is thought to develop from the periosteum, so palatoplasty with mucoperiosteal flaps may encourage new bone to form at the fissure. We evaluated the status of osteogenesis in the hard palate after palatoplasty on computed tomograms (CT). We studied 29 patients (22 boys and 7 girls) with unilateral cleft lip and palate who had pushback palatoplasty with the use of CT obtained between May 2003 and March 2007. Age at the time of operation was recorded. The width of the palatal fissure at the first premolar, the first molar, and the maxillary posterior region were measured on coronal CT. The mean (SD) age at the time of palatoplasty was 16 (2) months. The mean (SD) width of the fissure at the first molar was 3.96 (3.1) mm, and bony union was seen in four patients. The width of the fissure was significantly less at the first molar than at the other sites (p = 0.006). The shape of the margin of the fissure was irregular in nearly all patients. The width of the fissure at the first molar became significantly less, suggesting that osteogenesis had occurred. In some patients the height of the fissure differed. Given the results of previous studies, bony regeneration from the periosteum most likely happens together with regeneration from the margins of the fissure.

Unilateral expansion of a narrow mandibular dental arch combined with bimaxillary osteotomies in a patient with hypoglossia

A 23-year-old female with hypoglossia, who had a narrow mandibular dental arch, was treated using the gradual expansion technique. Three lower incisors were missing and the right molar occlusion showed a scissor bite. Her speech was acceptable. Gradual unilateral expansion of the mandibular alveolar bone was performed. Orthodontic tooth alignment was performed prior to surgical treatment. A tooth-borne expander was devised using a hyrax-type screw to move the inclined right alveolar bone into an upright position. Alveolar bone osteotomies were performed under general anesthesia and the expander was placed in the mandibular dental arch. After a 5-day latency period, the screw was activated for 21 days. After expansion, the width of the mandibular dental arch increased by 10mm at the first molar region and the right molars were moved to an upright position. After a consolidation period of 7 days, simultaneous two-jaw surgery that combined Le Fort I osteotomy and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomies was performed to obtain a stable occlusion. After post-surgical orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment, her occlusion improved without deterioration of her speech. The results indicate that this technique is useful for unilateral expansion of distorted mandibular alveolar process.

Necrotising Ulcerative Stomatitis in a Neutropenic Patient with Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract Necrotising ulcerative stomatitis is a very rapid, destructive disease of the alveolar bone and gingiva. The rapid destruction leads to devastating facial defects and death, if it is not treated promptly. Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are frequent causes of disseminated infections among patients who are immunocompromised. This report is of a 72-year-old woman with dose large B-cell lymphoma, who developed acute necrotising ulcerative stomatitis and septic shock together with histopathological and microbiological evidence of C. albicans and P aeruginosa infections. Gingival necrosis was managed by debridement to remove slough and irrigation with povidone iodine. All oral symptoms subsided following the initiation of antimicrobial therapy and debridement. The patient completed chemotherapy and achieved prompt remission. This report highlights the importance of prompt recognition, debridement, teeth extraction, scrupulous oral hygiene, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and nutritional support for immunocompromised patients with necrotising ulcerative stomatitis.

Correction of Nasal Deformity in School Children Using Ear Cartilage for Bilateral Cleft Nasal Correction: an Alternative Method

Abstract Marked nasal deformities, in particular a flattened nasal apex with wide nostrils and a short columella, may develop with facial growth after primary cheiloplasty in patients with cleft lip and palate. This study used auricular cartilage as an augmentation material for the nasal apex to improve the shape of the nose with good results. From July 2002 to August 2006, this technique was used for cheilorhinoplasty for 10 school children (mean age, 7 years 4 months); 8 patients had bilateral cleft lip and palate and 2 had bilateral cleft lip alone. Dissection was performed only at the nasal apex to create a space for cartilage grafting. Auricular cartilage obtained from the ear concha was used as an augmentation material. In all patients, the nasal apex was elevated and the nose was elongated. The shape of the overcorrected nasal apex became natural about 6 months after surgery. Good structural characteristics were maintained, as the nose shape was improved before the growth period in children, and recurrence of deformity of the nasal apex has not been noticed at the last follow-up (mean, 31 months). This technique for the correction of nasal tip deformity using ear cartilage as an augmentation material while minimising dissection prevented the development of a bulbous nose in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. It has been confirmed to be useful for cheilorhinoplasty in school children.

Dermoid Cyst with Fistula on the Dorsum of the Tongue

Abstract A 32-year-old woman presented with difficulty in swallowing and swelling of the tongue. A fistula was seen on the dorsum of the tongue. As T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a high signal intensity lesion with poorly defined margins, a provisional diagnosis of tongue lipoma or angiomyolipoma was made. The lesion was surgically removed including the fistula. Sebaceous glands were seen in the epithelial lining on histopathological analysis, which suggested a dermoid cyst. The patients postoperative course was satisfactory, and no recurrence has been observed during 18 months of follow-up after surgery.