X.-Y. Cai

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case report

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon but potentially fatal infection characterized by rapidly progressive, widespread necrosis of the superficial fascia. The authors report a case of cervical necrotizing fasciitis of odontogenic origin in a male with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. An early diagnosis was based on clinical examination, confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed multiple collections of air in the left submandibular, submental and cervical region. Broad spectrum antibiotic therapy was started quickly followed by surgical drainage and debridement. Pus culture was positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Four days after admission, mediastinitis was revealed by CT and drainage was conducted through a transcervical incision. The patient was treated successfully with antimicrobial therapy, repeated surgical debridement and supportive care.

New arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing technique for treating an anteriorly displaced disc of the temporomandibular joint: part I - technique introduction

Anterior disc displacement is one of the most frequent types of temporomandibular joint disorders. Various arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing techniques were reported to treat patients with disc displacement in the 1990s, but the success rate and long-term stability was not satisfactory. This report describes a new repositioning and suturing technique and discusses its advantages and disadvantages.

Simultaneous pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: case report

Pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis are benign nonneoplastic proliferations originating in the synovium of unknown cause. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare. Only 3 cases of simultaneous pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis involving the TMJ have been reported. The authors report the case of a 21-year-old female with simultaneous involvement of pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis in the left TMJ. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal the synovial lesions, and the diagnosis was made by arthroscopy and histological examination. The lesions were removed with arthroscopy, and the displaced disc was repositioned. The patient has been symptom-free for 13 months postoperatively.

Arthroscopically guided removal of large solitary synovial chondromatosis from the temporomandibular joint.

Synovial chondromatosis of the joint is a rare benign condition characterized by the formation of metaplastic cartilage in the synovium of the joint resulting in numerous attached and unattached osteocartilagenous bodies. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is uncommon. Arthrotomy is usually applied to remove the larger particles and the affected synovial tissues. The authors report the case of a 48-year-old female with a large solitary synovial chondroma in the left TMJ. The larger mass was removed successfully via an additional incision in the anterior wall of external auditory meatus under the guidance of arthroscopy. The patient has been symptom-free for 5 years postoperatively.

Oral metastasis from primary transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis: report of a case.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is initially a slow growing tumor arising from the transitional epithelium of the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis. Recurrences occur in two forms: superficial bladder cancer and distant metastases. The common metastasis is in the lung, liver, brain and bone. Oral metastasis is seldom reported. The authors report an unusual case of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis metastasized to the oral cavity and lung simultaneously in a 74-year-old man, which occurred 1 year after a left nephroureterectomy. The patient underwent six courses of chemotherapy (gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, fluorouracil and nedaplatin), and received radiotherapy for the oral lesion. The symptoms were alleviated, but the tumor recurred in the oral cavity 2 years later. Brain and liver metastases were confirmed by CT. Repeated radiotherapy for oral metastasis was performed, but the patient died 4 years after the initial nephroureterectomy due to multiple metastases.

Arthroscopic management of intra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis of temporomandibular joint.

This retrospective study reports on four patients with intra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) who were managed with arthroscopy between 2002 and 2009. There were three females and one male, with a mean age of 46 years at diagnosis. The common symptoms were trismus and pain. No pre-auricular swelling or mass was detected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthrography showed an anteriorly displaced disc, disc perforation, osteophyte of the condyle, or increased joint effusion. No neoplasm was suspected radiologically. Under arthroscopy, a yellow nodule and loose bodies were found in one patient, and a yellow or brown hyperplasia of the synovial membrane was noted in the other three patients. Degeneration of the articular cartilage was detected in two patients. The arthroscopic procedures used for every patient were partial synovectomy and debridement of articular surfaces with electric shaving and coblation. Arthroscopic disc repositioning was performed for the two young patients. Postoperative histological examination verified the diagnosis of PVNS of the TMJ. The average follow-up period was 57.4 months, and no recurrence was found. Arthroscopy has proved to be a useful method for the management of intra-articular PVNS of the TMJ.

Radiological follow-up results of untreated anterior disc displacement without reduction in adults

The aim of this study was to assess the radiographic changes in untreated adults with bilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction. A cohort study was designed to compare the bone changes, effusion, disc configuration, and pseudo-disc changes on two magnetic resonance images obtained at least 24 months apart. Twenty-eight patients (22 female, six male) with a mean age of 33.1 years (range 20-57 years) were included. The mean interval between the initial visit and the follow-up visit was 36.2 months. At the initial visit, the frequencies of bone changes, effusion, disc deformation, and pseudo-disc changes were 51.79%, 35.71%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. At follow-up, the frequency of effusion had decreased significantly. The frequency of bone changes had increased significantly to 75%, but newly formed cortical bone was present in five condyles. All discs remained deformed. Pseudo-disc changes were detected in five joints. Over a long period of observation, there was a significant decrease in effusion and a significant increase in bone changes. However, some adaptive changes occurred.