Roberta Targa Stramandinoli-Zanicotti

Oral squamous cell carcinoma in two siblings with Fanconi anemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Fanconi Anemia patients are a high risk group for solid and hematologic malignancies. The risk seems to be influenced by age, chronic graft versus host disease and immunosuppressive drug regimens. Reports of oral malignant transformation in Fanconi Anemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are increasing probably because of longer survival rates. This is the report of an 18- and her 28-year old sister who developed a post-HSCT oral squamous cell carcinoma. There were significant differences regarding time to malignant transformation, marrow donor characteristics and graft versus host disease evolution and treatment. The report reinforce the need for a routine head and neck screening for cancer in this particular syndrome and suggest that familial history should also be considered in Fanconi anemia patients at risk for oral malignancy after HSCT.

Brazilian minipig as a large-animal model for basic research and stem cell-based tissue engineering. Characterization and in vitro differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Stem cell-based regenerative medicine is one of the most intensively researched medical issues. Pre-clinical studies in a large-animal model, especially in swine or miniature pigs, are highly relevant to human applications. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated and expanded from different sources. Objective This study aimed at isolating and characterizing, for the first time, bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) from a Brazilian minipig (BR1). Also, this aimed to validate a new large-animal model for stem cell-based tissue engineering. Material and Methods Bone marrow (BM) was aspirated from the posterior iliac crest of twelve adult male BR1 under general anesthesia. MSCs were selected by plastic-adherence as originally described by Friedenstein. Cell morphology, surface marker expression, and cellular differentiation were examined. The immunophenotypic profile was determined by flow cytometry. The differentiation potential was assessed by cytological staining and by RT-PCR. Results MSCs were present in all minipig BM samples. These cells showed fibroblastic morphology and were positive for the surface markers CD90 (88.6%), CD29 (89.8%), CD44 (86.9%) and negative for CD34 (1.61%), CD45 (1.83%), CD14 (1.77%) and MHC-II (2.69%). MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts as demonstrated by the presence of lipidic-rich vacuoles, the mineralized extracellular matrix, and the great presence of glycosaminoglycans, respectively. The higher gene expression of adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (AP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type 2 (COLII) also confirmed the trilineage differentiation (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.031; respectively). Conclusions The isolation, cultivation, and differentiation of BM-MSCs from BR1 makes this animal eligible as a useful large-animal model for stem cell-based studies in Brazil.

Canalicular adenoma of the minor salivary gland in the upper lip: case report

Canalicular adenoma is a rare benign tumor of the minor salivary glands that is the most prevalent in older adults (mean age, 60 years). The upper lip is the most commonly affected site, followed by the buccal mucosa and palate. It presents as a nodular lesion without a tendency for recurrence. Here, we describe a case of canalicular adenoma presenting as a nodular, painful mass in the upper lip of a 62-year-old man with a history of trauma. Fine needle aspiration biopsy yielded inconclusive results but excluded malignancy. The lesion was enucleated, and a definitive diagnosis of canalicular adenoma was established by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. No signs of recurrence were noted at the 8-month follow-up examination. The case emphasizes the importance of differential diagnosis of nodular lesions in the oral mucosa for appropriate treatment and histological analysis for definitive diagnosis.

Effect of fractionated radiotherapy on the parotid gland: an experimental study in Brazilian minipigs

Summary Introduction: Radiotherapy (RT) of head and neck neoplasms often damages the salivary glands. Aim: To examine the pattern of morphologic changes resulting from RT of the head and neck region in minipig parotid glands in a clinical and experimental research setting. Methods: Twelve 18-month-old male Brazilian minipigs weighing 30–40 kg were selected. Eight minipigs were assigned to the experimental group (group 1) and 4 to the control group (group 2). The RT was performed under general anesthesia at Erasto Gaertner Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil, using an á/â ratio of 2.5. The minipigs from group 1 underwent 3 sessions of irradiation with Cobalt 60 of the head and neck, bilaterally, with 3 exposures of 8 Gy each at 7-day intervals for a total dose of 24 Gy. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-RT. Results: The irradiated parotid glands displayed reductions in the size and number of acini as well as loss of secretory granules. The presence of fibrosis and loss of parenchyma relative to non-irradiated glands were observed, with an average reduction in volume of 54%. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that this model for parotid gland damage resulting from an RT regimen appears to be useful for preclinical large animal studies of RT-induced damage and testing novel potential treatment options. Although recent advances in radiation therapy, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, have reduced the dose and limited the field of radiation, considerable salivary gland injury still occurs and can greatly impact the patients quality of life after cancer treatment.

Accuracy, Sensitivity and Specificity of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Salivary Gland Tumors: A Retrospective Study from 2006 to 2011

Objective: This article concerns evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNAB for pre-surgical diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of major and minor salivary glands of patients treated in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of Erasto Gartner Hospital. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed medical records from January 2006 to December 2011 from patients with salivary gland lesions who underwent preoperative FNAB and, after surgical excision of the lesion, histopathological examination. Results: The study had a cohort of 130 cases, but 34 cases (26.2%) were considered unsatisfactory regarding cytology analyses. Based on the data, sensitivity was 66.7% (6/9), specificity was 81.6% (71/87), accuracy was 80.2% (77/96), the positive predictive value was 66,7% (6/9) and the negative predictive value was 81.6% (71/87). Conclusion: Despite the high rate of inadequate samples obtained in the FNAB in this study the technique offers high specificity, accuracy and acceptable sensitivity.

Effect of radiotherapy on osseointegration of dental implants immediately placed in postextraction sites of minipigs mandibles.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the osseointegration and the survival of dental implants (DIs) immediately placed in postextraction sites, in mandibles of minipigs that underwent radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods: Twelve Brazilian minipigs were divided into the following groups: A, control; B, implants placement 15 days before RT; C, implants placement 3 months after RT. Implant loss rate (ILR), fibrointegration rate (FIR), bone-implant contact (BIC), and bone density inside the threads (BDIT) were determined in each group 90 days after implantation. Results: ILR was higher in group C (68.7%) than in groups B (28.1%) and A (21.9%), (P = 0.001). FIR was more frequent in group C (30%) than in groups B (21.7%) and A (4%), although not statistically significant. The averages of BIC and BDIT were, respectively, 33.1 and 41.5 in group C; 18.5 and 26.6 in group B; and 11.5 and 16.3 in group A (P = 0.003 for both variables). Conclusions: RT showed a negative effect in periimplant bone regeneration. The implants placement before RT showed better results compared with the implants performed after RT, suggesting that DIs in head and neck cancer patients must be placed before RT or simultaneously during ablative tumor surgery.

Facial Trauma Caused By Captive Ostrich Attack Surgically Managed With Iliac Bone Graft– Case Report

Human injuries caused by ostriches are rare and there are few cases on the literature. This species of animal may show aggressive behaviour related to territoriality and may even attack potential predators. The main purpose of this paper is to report a case of a patient who suffered an attack by a domestic ostrich causing severe facial injuries, treated with surgery. The patient is in follow up and no permanent damage is reported.

Simultaneous Occurrence of Central Giant Cell Granuloma and Odontogenic Keratocyst in Mandible

Odontogenic keratocysts and central giant cell granulomas are distinct entities of separate origin that may appear simultaneously in the jaw, making them difficult to differentiate. The objectives of this paper are to report a case of a 54-year-old man presenting with a large lesion in the right mandible and to describe the histological characteristics of that lesion. Imaging revealed tumefaction and multilobulation. The case was surgically managed. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion was a hybrid of an odontogenic keratocyst and a central giant cell granuloma. It remains unclear as to whether this lesion represented a coincidental or related injury. Since both types of lesion involved have a high rate of recurrence, however, long-term follow-up is scheduled.