Odontogenic myxoma: a clinicopathological study of 33 cases

Odontogenic myxoma, a rare tumour that occurs in the jaws, has been reported to be the second commonest odontogenic tumour in many countries. Few studies, however, provide detailed clinicopathological findings of a large series of cases and no study so far has attempted to calculate the incidence of this condition. Retrospective and prospective studies were carried out in Tanzania from 1982 to 1998 (16 years) and 1999 to 2002 (4 years), respectively. A total of 33 cases of myxomas were found with a male:female ratio of 1:1.83. Most of the tumours were located in the mandible compared to the maxilla and were predominantly multilocular. Pain, diasthesia, ulceration, invasion of the soft tissues and tooth mobility were among the symptoms that patients presented with although the majority had no clinical signs or symptoms. Based on the prospective study only, an annual incidence of 0.07 per million can be ascertained. Late reporting was a common feature in this group of patients. Radical surgery with resection of the tumour with a safe margin is advocated.     

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: a retrospective study

Transverse maxillary hypoplasia, in adolescents and adults, may be corrected by means of a 'surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion' (SARME). The results of 7 patients who were treated by means of a SARME, are presented. Attention is paid to the technique, the type of expansion, and the stability of the expansion of the maxilla 1-1.5 years after SARME. The mean expansion between the cuspids was 4.7 mm (sd 1.7) and between the first molars 5.6 mm (sd 3.2). The SARME technique appeared to give rise to a predictable result and a sufficient amount of expansion, although the sample is small and the follow-up period relatively short. All patients had a satisfactory result without complications.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody reactive with a specific neoantigenic determinant (comprising B beta 54-118) in degradation products of fibrin and of fibrinogen

Balb/c mice were immunized with a mixture of fibrin degradation products (XDPs) prepared by complete lysis of a human blood clot by tissue-type plasminogen activator and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. Spleen cells of the mice were fused with P3 X 63 Ag 8653 myeloma cells. A clone (FDP 14) was selected that produces monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) of the IgG1 kappa type that react with a neoantigenic determinant exposed in these XDPs, but not in intact fibrinogen or in fibrin monomers. Furthermore, the MoAb is reactive with some pure, individual degradation products of fibrinogen (fragments X, Y, E, and the N-terminal disulphide knot) and with the fibrinogen B beta-chain but not with A alpha- and gamma-chains or with fragments D, FCB-2 and FCB-3. Comparison of the known primary structures of these fibrinogen fragments indicates that the stretch B beta 54-118 comprises at least an important part of the epitope recognized by FDP-14. Apparently, this stretch contributes importantly to a neoantigenic determinant that is not functional in intact fibrinogen and fibrin monomer and that can be made functional by reduction of fibrinogen, or by digestion with plasmin or CNBr.     

The autogenous inner table iliac bone graft. A review of 100 patients

A review of 100 patients in whom an autogenous bone graft from the iliac inner table was used for maxillofacial surgery is presented. The conclusions are that this technique is a relatively simple, quick, safe and reliable procedure for obtaining an iliac bone graft.     

Spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, corner fracture type: a heritable condition associated with coxa vara

The authors present the radiographic features of a previously incompletely delineated bone dysplasia, which they call spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, corner fracture type. This is a dominant heritable condition associated with short stature and developmental coxa vara. The progressive hip deformity usually causes significant disability requiring surgical correction. Developmental coxa vara, simulated corner fractures of long tubular bones, and vertebral body abnormalities result in a diagnostic constellation. Knowledge of these distinctive radiologic features allows accurate diagnosis, which in turn should lead to appropriate genetic counseling and possibly to earlier, more efficacious surgical treatment of the coxa vara.     

The prediction of mandibular invasion by squamous cell carcinomas with the expression of osteoclast-related cytokines in biopsy specimens

Destruction of bone by tumour is caused by osteoclasts rather than by tumour cells directly. Tumour cells of invasive oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) release osteoclast-related cytokines and cytokines activate osteoclasts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of predicting mandibular invasion by SCC by analysis of the expression of osteoclast-related cytokines in biopsy specimens of SCC, adjacent or fixed to the mandible. Thirty-five biopsy specimens from the pathology archives were examined from patients who had been treated for SCC, adjacent or fixed to the mandible. The patients were divided into those with and without medullary invasion. The expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)–α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-11 was studied by immunohistochemical analysis. No significant differences were found in expression of TNF–α, IL-6 and IL-11 between biopsy specimens with or without medullary invasion. Quantification of the density of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes was not reproducible. In conclusion, the expression of TNF–α, IL-6 and IL-11 in biopsy specimens of SCC, adjacent or fixed to the mandible, is not an appropriate method for predicting the presence of medullary invasion of the mandible.