Preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis of head and neck cancers: a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Mucositis is one of the acute complications of radiotherapy which can ulcerate oral mucosa and cause severe pain and discomfort which can affect oral normal function. Propolis is a natural source of flavenoid which has antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Using such an affordable compound without any bad smell or taste that has reasonable price can help the radiotherapy undergoing patients

Objectives: Our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer

Patients and Methods: In a randomized triple blind clinical trial, 20 patient were selected randomly to swish and swallow 15 ml of water based extract of propolis mouth wash 3 times a day in the case group [n = 10] and 15 ml placebo mouth wash in control group [n = 10]. We use NIC-CTC scale for determining mucositis grading

Results: We use T-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square, and Friedman as analyzing tests. Case group had significantly [P < 0.05] lower grade of mucositis in all of the follow-ups, but xerostomia is not significantly different in two groups [P > 0.05]

Conclusions: This is a pilot study which shows water based extract of propolis efficiently prevents and heals radiotherapy induced mucositis

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the mandible: case report]

Malignant lymphoma of the oral region is uncommon and accounts for approximately 3.5% of all oral malignancies. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurs primarily in adults, although children may also be affected, particularly by the more aggressive intermediate and high-grade forms. The condition most commonly develops in the lymph nodes, but so-called extra nodal lymphoma is also found. In children, extanodal lymphoma is more common. The presentation can be as a non tender mass mostly in cervical, auxiliary, or inguinal regions that has been enlarging for months. In the oral cavity, lymphoma appears usually as extra nodal disease. The malignancy may develop in the oral soft tissues or centrally within the jaws. Soft tissue lesions appear as non-tender, diffuse swelling; they most commonly affect the buccal vestibule, posterior hard palate, or gingiva. The patient may complain of paresthesia, particularly with a mandibular lesion [numb chin syndrome]. An 8-year-old boy was visited in the Oral Medicine Department of Mashhad Dental School with the chief complaint of permanent tooth mobility in the oral cavity for 15 days. The patient also had a history of bone pain mainly in lower lip for the last month and Bell's palsy [left side] was observed which had been occurred since 7 days before. Simultaneously, the patient had malaise, anorexia, bone pain, illness, lymphadenopathy [head and neck], and flu like signs and symptoms, fatigue and leukocytosis. Under clinical diagnosis of lymphoma, the patient was referred to pediatric hematologist-oncologist. Our diagnosis, none Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL], was confirmed by the report of lymph node biopsy. Dentists can play an important role in the early detection of the malignant lymphoma of the oral cavity. NHL primarily appears in the head and neck. It is typically characterized by a swollen, non-painful lymph node although other presentations may pose significant diagnostic problems and frequently lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment

Considering the second primary molar as the sole clinical index of growth condition

Assessment of skeletal maturity is an integral part of interceptive diagnosis and treatment planning. The present method of skeletal maturity assessment like handwrist or cervical vertebrae radiographies are expensive,require elaborate equipment and account for high radiation exposure, especially for growing children. This study tried to consider the value of the 2nd primary molar in growth stage. 40 samples aged 8-13 were tested by their panoramic and handwrist radiographs. there was a coincidence between presence calcified sesamoid and 2nd primary molar as the last tooth. The result showed that it could be a reliable index to predict the growth stage in 1st visit without radiography