W. Qiu

Retrospective analysis of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: proposing a novel clinical classification and staging system

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw is a common radiation-induced complication that may be observed in oral cancer patients. Several classifications and staging systems have been proposed for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible based on clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and/or the response to diverse treatments. However, none has been universally accepted because of their individual deficiencies. The aim of this study was to introduce a new clinical classification that can be applied to the treatment of osteoradionecrosis in an easier and more acceptable way, through a retrospective analysis of patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. A review was conducted of 99 patients diagnosed with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible in the study institution between 2000 and 2013. A novel classification was established on the basis of bone necrosis and soft tissue defects. A new staging system with four different stages (stage 0, stage I, stage II, and stage III) is proposed. We believe that this new classification and staging system is easier and more acceptable for clinical evaluation than previous ones.

Nasopharyngeal teratoma associated with cleft palate in newborn: report of 2 cases

Teratoma is a true neoplasm that consists of tissues from all 3 embryonic germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Nasopharyngeal teratoma is very rare and accounts for only 2% of all teratomas. We present 2 cases of nasopharyngeal teratomas associated with cleft palate in newborns. The first case was a mushroom-like teratoma arising from the base of the sphenoid bone with cleft soft palate. This case was unique and interesting because no earlier paper has reported a teratoma with such a clinical feature. The second case was a teratoma from the nasal septum of an incomplete cleft palate. The combination of the mass and cleft palate made oral feeding difficult. Complete intraoral resection was performed in both cases. Typical components of true teratoma were identified by microscopic examination after operation. Cleft palate reconstruction was performed before 1 year. Clinical follow-up continues, and no recurrence has been observed to date.

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the differential diagnosis of vascular anomalies from other lesions in the head and neck region

Objective To summarise the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the differential diagnosis of vascular anomalies from other lesions in the head and neck region by presenting five interesting cases reported from our hospital data. Method Five patients ranging in age from 3 months to 25 years old were diagnosed with vascular anomalies based on their histories, clinical examinations, imaging examinations and ultrasonic testing. The previous diagnosis of these patients were corrected by fine needle aspiration cytology in our hospital and the proper treatment was administered. Result Two cases were wrongly treated in a local hospital. All five of the patients underwent operations after excluding vascular anomalies by fine needle aspiration cytology. Conclusion Fine needle aspiration cytology should be used in the following situations to prevent misdiagnoses and the mistreatment as vascular anomalies: when imaging examination and ultrasonic testing lead to a diagnosis of vascular malformation, but the history or clinical examination does not confirm this diagnosis; when lesions are treated as “vascular malformations” by sclerotherapy, and the hydatid fluid is not like blood or lymph fluid; and when propranolol is used to treat the proliferation stage of “haemangiomas” with without any effect.