A case of primary diffuse large B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma misdiagnosed as chronic periapical periodontitis

Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm of component cells of the lymphoid system which is very rare in the jaws. Here we report a case of primary diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma located in the periapical region of a mandibular molar which was misdiagnosed as chronic periapical periodontitis. The present case was diagnosed at an early stage and effectively managed by chemotherapy. Although lymphoma of the mandible is rare, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of radiolucent lesions in this region. Lack of knowledge of this rare presentation may lead to delays in diagnosis and poor prognosis.     

Echographic evaluation of bone lesions of endodontic origin: report of two cases in the same patient

We report on two periapical lesions of endodontic origin detected in the maxillary bone of the same patient, whose echographic examination was used to address a tentative differential diagnosis between a granuloma and a cystic lesion. The patient on whom two periapical lesions were diagnosed with clinical and conventional radiographic findings and scheduled for endodontic surgery, was also examined using echography and color power doppler at the site of the lesions. The lesions were echographically described in each case according to a scheme from a previous work. A tentative differential diagnosis between a cystic lesion and a granuloma was made. One lesion was described as a cyst, the other as a granuloma. After surgical excision, the lesions were examined under light microscopy. In both cases the two echographic diagnoses were confirmed by the histopathologic examination.     

Correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses in periapical inflammatory lesions

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions, focusing mainly on cystic conditions. Methods: Files dating from 1998 to 2006 at the Oral Pathology Laboratory, School of Dentistry, Alfenas Federal University, Brazil, were reviewed to identify cases with histopathological diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions. A total of 1788 files were analyzed, and 255 cases were identified with clinical diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions. Results: The most prevalent clinical diagnosis was apical periodontal cyst (59%), followed by periapical granuloma (20%), and dentoalveolar abscess (2%). After histopathological analysis, 53% of the cases represented apical periodontal cyst, 42% periapical granuloma, and 5% dentoalveolar abscess. Conclusions: The outcomes of the present study show a high prevalence of periapical cysts among periapical inflammatory lesions. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of histopathological evaluation for the correct diagnosis of periapical inflammatory lesions.     

Clinical, radiographic and histological evaluation of chronic periapical inflammatory lesions

The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the clinical, radiographic and histological aspects of chronic inflammatory periapical lesions. One hundred and sixty-four lesions of human teeth, independent of age, race and sex, were evaluated by clinical, radiographic and histological analyses conducted after surgical endodontic treatment. Our results showed that there was uniformity in the interference factors on the evolution of periapical healing such as the apical biofilm and/or endogenous (cholesterol crystals) or exogenous (extruded endodontic materials that are indigestible or of difficult digestion) foreign bodies and that some cysts are reversible with endodontic treatment. We conclude that it is difficult for the clinician to adjust parameters defining a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory periapical lesions.     

Hemangioma of the mandible presenting as a periapical radiolucency

A case of an hemangioma of the mandible in a 53-yr-old female patient is presented. The lesion was removed, and no atypia or mitotic cells were found. The excision was curative, and the overall prognosis was excellent. A differential diagnosis of radiolucent periapical lesions of the mandibular symphysis is presented.     

Peri-implantitis: from diagnosis to therapeutics

Peri‐implantitis is an infection of the tissue around an implant, resulting in the loss of supporting bone. Risk factors for peri‐implantitis consist of a history of periodontitis, dental plaque, poor oral hygiene, smoking, alcohol consumption and diabetes. A clinical diagnosis indicates inflammatory signs including bleeding on probing with or without suppuration and a peri‐implant pocket depth ≥5 mm. A radiograph shows images of marginal bone loss ≥2 mm. A differential diagnosis of peri‐implant mucositis, occlusal overload, retrograde peri‐implantitis and inflammatory implant periapical lesions suggests the appropriate treatment in each case. The non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis, including a mechanical treatment alone or combined with antiseptics or antibiotics can improve clinical parameters in the short term but residual defects may still persist. Surgical treatment such as guided bone regeneration results in a gain of clinical attachment level and bone reconstruction in the long term. The limited effect of laser‐assisted therapy needs to be further evaluated. The concept of prevention based on early detection and regular maintenance plays a principal role in reducing the occurrence of peri‐implantitis.     

The role of IL‐6 on apical periodontitis: a systematic review

The aim of this review was to examine current knowledge of the role of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in apical periodontitis (AP) pathogenesis as an inflammatory or pro‐inflammatory cytokine. It also looked at whether IL‐6 could serve as a measure for differential diagnosis or as a biomarker that can further predict the progression of bone resorption. A systematic review relating to AP and IL‐6 was made via PubMed, BIOSIS, Cochrane, EMBASE and Web of Science databases using keywords and controlled vocabulary. Two independent reviewers first screened titles and abstracts and then the full texts. The reference lists of the identified publications were examined for additional titles. Eighteen papers were studied in total. In vitro studies (n = 6) revealed that IL‐6 is present in AP, and its levels are proportional to the size of the periapical lesions. Neutrophils and macrophages resident in these lesions can produce IL‐6 in vitro after a bacterial stimulus. Animal studies (n = 5) showed that IL‐6 is present in AP and that osteoblasts can produce IL‐6 in vivo. On the other hand, two studies using IL‐6 knockout mice revealed larger periapical lesions when compared with control groups, demonstrating IL‐6's role as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine. In human studies (n = 7), IL‐6 was identified in AP, and its levels were higher in symptomatic, epithelialized and large lesions than in asymptomatic and small lesions. These data lead to the conclusion that IL‐6 may play a pro‐inflammatory role, increasing its levels and reabsorbing bone in the presence of infections. When IL‐6 is not present, other cytokines such as IL‐1 and TNF‐α induce bone resorption. Further studies about the relationship between AP development and the cytokine network must be performed to establish the exact role of each cytokine in the inflammatory process.     

Focal cemento-osseous dysplasia involving a mandibular lateral incisor

AIM: To report a case of focal cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) affecting a single tooth misdiagnosed as an inflammatory periapical lesion.SUMMARY: The patient, a black 47-year-old woman complained of pain affecting the right side of the mandible. Routine X-ray examination discovered a periapical radiolucency on the mandibular left lateral incisor (tooth 32), which was otherwise normal and not carious. As the response of this tooth to a vitality test was doubtful, the lesion was diagnosed as a periapical granuloma or cyst secondary to pulpal necrosis. Endodontic treatment and curettage of the periapical lesion were performed, and histological examination of the curettage material revealed a localized osseous dysplasia. KEY LEARNING POINTS: FCOD may rarely affect only one tooth, resembling a periapical granuloma or cyst. Careful diagnosis is of paramount importance in cases of questionable periapical lesions affecting normal-looking teeth, before beginning treatment. FCOD generally requires no treatment. Biopsy is warranted in case of doubt.     

Characterization of the periapical surgical specimen. A morphologic and histochemical study of the inflammatory patterns

Biopsies of human periapical lesions obtained during endodontic surgery were studied morphologically and histochemically to determine the nature of the inflammatory reaction. Evaluation was based on cell types, morphologic patterns, degree of cellular infiltration, extracellular components, and their interrelationships. Almost all periapical lesions showed the characteristic features of granulomatous inflammation; chronic (nongranulomatous) inflammation was a lesser component of the reaction. Acute inflammation was seen either as focal concentrations or as scattering of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes in variable numbers throughout the chronic and granulomatous inflammatory tissue. Epithelium was noted in one third of the specimens. Granulation tissue was not seen. Thus, granulomatous inflammation appears to be a consistent inflammatory reaction pattern in periapical lesions.     

Inflammatory odontogenic lesions of the jaws

The apical granuloma, the periapical abcess and the radicular cyst are the most frequent between the inflammatory odontogenic lesions of the jaws. These three lesions are caused by the necrosis of the pulp but are very different between each other from an histological point of view and they can correspond to different stages of the same pathological process considering the fact that from a granuloma can arise a periapical abcess or a radicular cyst and from a radicular cyst and abcess can originate. About these three pathological processes we discuss in this article the clinical, radiographical, ethiological, microscopical features, we suggest the treatment and the differential diagnosis.     

The evaluation of computed tomography scans and ultrasounds in the differential diagnosis of periapical lesions

Traditionally, the definitive diagnosis of periapical lesion depends on histopathological examination of the tissues, which is impractical in cases planned for nonsurgical treatment. Recently, some authors have used ultrasound with power Doppler and computed tomography in differential diagnosis between a cyst and a granuloma. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the use of computed tomography (CT) scan and ultrasound with power Doppler flowmetry in differential diagnosis of periapical lesions. Twelve periapical lesions were imaged with the help of CT scans and ultrasound with color-power Doppler flowmetry. A provisional preoperative diagnosis was made based on history, clinical presentation, and radiographic features. The cases were treated by surgical endodontics. In all 12 cases, the diagnosis with CT scan and ultrasound coincided with the histopathological diagnosis of the lesions. It is proposed that CT scans and ultrasound with power Doppler flowmetry can provide an additional dignostic tool without invasive surgery, where treatment option is nonsurgical.     

Histopathologic examination to confirm diagnosis of periapical lesions: a review

Most periapical lesions are represented by inflammatory cysts, granulomas, abscesses or fibrous scars. These inflammatory conditions are often termed "endodontic lesions" because pulpal necrosis is the initiating event in their pathogenesis. Although rare, other clinically confusing periapical lesions have been extensively documented in numerous case reports and short case series. These lesions represent a wide range of pathosis, including various developmental cysts, infections, benign but locally aggressive lesions, and malignancies. The literature describing these lesions and the value of a histopathologic examination in diagnosis is reviewed.     

Importance of mast cells in human periapical inflammatory lesions

The role of mast cells (MCs) in periapical inflammatory lesions is not well understood. The objective of this work was to quantify MC numbers in human periapical lesions with the aim to clarify their role in the pathogenesis of these lesions. We analyzed the slides of 64 human periapical inflammatory lesions stained with pH 8.0 toluidine blue technique, quantified the number of MCs, and evaluated any correlation with age, gender, size, and location. The results of this study suggest that MCs were more numerous in females (p < 0.01); MC numbers were higher in biopsies from granulomas with proliferating epithelium and lower in biopsies from chronic apical abscesses; MC counts did not correlate with patients' age or size. MCs were observed more commonly in areas containing inflammatory infiltrate and degranulation was a frequent finding in these zones. Our results suggest that MCs play an active role in the pathogenesis of the periapical inflammatory lesions. The potential role of MCs related with the initiation, development, and persistence of the periapical inflammatory process are discussed.     

IL-17在乳牙根尖周病损组织中的表达

目的:检测IL-17在乳牙根尖周病损组织中的表达和分布,分析其在不同病理类型及炎症程度之间的关系,探讨其在乳牙慢性根尖周炎发病机制中的可能作用。方法:收集120例乳牙慢性根尖周病损组织行常规组织病理学检查,确定病理类型并按炎症细胞浸润程度分级;免疫组织化学法检测组织中IL-17的分布特点;ELISA法检测IL-17的蛋白表达量。结果:120例乳牙慢性根尖周病损组织中根尖周肉芽肿占65.8%,根尖周囊肿占18.4%,根尖周脓肿占15.8%。IL-17在3种病理类型中均有表达,主要表达于淋巴细胞、浆细胞。ELISA结果显示IL-17在不同病理类型组中的表达均低于正常对照组,在根尖肉芽肿组中的表达与炎症程度呈负相关。结论:IL-17在乳牙根尖周病损组织内广泛存在,随炎症程度加重表达逐渐降低,推测IL-17在乳牙慢性根尖周炎的病程进展中可能发挥一定的抑制作用。     

Kinetics of Th17‐related cytokine expression in experimentally induced rat periapical lesions

Th17‐related cytokines are essential factors in various pathological states, including inflammatory bone destruction. This study investigated the contribution of Th17‐related cytokines to the progress of experimentally induced rat periapical lesions. Periapical pathoses were induced by unsealed exposure of the pulp chamber of the lower first molars. A variety of immunocompetent cells, including CD68⁺ macrophages, Ia antigen⁺ cells and TCRαβ⁺ T cells, were observed in the lesions. The expression levels of Th17‐related cytokines, IL‐17 and IL‐23, and of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β and IL‐6, were significantly increased at 14 days (expansion stage) compared with normal periapical tissues. The expression levels of Foxp3, a regulatory T cell (Treg)‐related gene, and of IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, were higher at 28 days (chronic stage) than at 14 days. These findings suggest that Th17‐related cytokines may be primary contributors to the initiation of periapical bone destruction, and that lesion expansion may be regulated by anti‐inflammatory mediators.     

The sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of radiographic periapical diagnosis of posterior teeth

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the percent accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of periapical radiographic diagnosis of periapical inflammatory disease. METHOD: A total of 140 cases were reviewed under ideal viewing conditions by 6 observers. For each case, observers determined whether periapical disease was evident and rated the confidence of their interpretation. RESULTS: The mean percent accuracy was 70.2%. The mean sensitivity and specificity were 0.65 and 0.78, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients for intraobserver and interobserver reliability were 0.66 and 0.54, respectively. CONCLUSION: Specificity of periapical radiographic diagnosis is higher than sensitivity. These results support the current guideline for selective use of periapical views based on patient symptoms and clinical signs. Finally, dentists have a good degree of reliability on repeated evaluations, but only fair agreement when compared with other dentists reading the same radiograph.     

Periapical actinomycosis: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract This case of periapical actinomycosis presented the clinical picture of chronic periapical inflammation. The diagnosis was based on the histological examination of the periapical lesions suggesting the necessity for routine histological examination. Although root canals provide a primary port of entry the Actinomyces organisms into the periapical tissue, periapical actinomycosis, is considered extremely rare. This may be due to the omission of routine histological examination of periapical lesions and the clinical behavior of the disease. The large number of cases reported during the last decade indicates that periapical actinomycosis is more frequent than what it is believed and this is important in the daily dental practice.     

实验性鼠根尖周炎组织学动态观察

目的 :观察大鼠磨牙牙髓在自然暴露状态下组织学动态过程。方法 :16只SD大鼠磨牙开髓 ,分别于术后 1、2、3、4周取下颌骨组织 ;拍根尖X线片 ,图像分析系统测根尖阴影面积 ;组织经固定、脱钙后作组织切片 ,HE染色 ,进行组织学观察。结果 :从术后 1周始根尖阴影面积逐渐增大 ,第 3周达峰值(1.2 5± 0 .15 )mm2 ,4周后相对稳定 ;组织学变化表现为非特异性炎症过程 ,术后 1周根尖区即可见炎细胞浸润及轻度骨吸收 ;2周后牙髓全部坏死 ,根尖炎症加重 ;3周后根尖周出现根尖脓肿 ;4周后炎症浸润减轻 ,并可见立方状成骨细胞。结论 :开放大鼠磨牙髓腔使口腔菌丛感染后 ,可建成实验性根尖周炎模型。 1～ 3周表现为急性炎症阶段 ,根尖周破坏逐渐加重 ,4周后转为慢性期