A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Multi-Disciplinary Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Program for Patients with Fractures of the Oral and Maxillofacial Region Because of Alcohol-Related Injuries in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE@#We have implemented a multi-disciplinary Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol to prevent individuals who sustained alcohol-related traumatic injuries. We therefore conducted this single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) to assess its efficacy.@*METHODS@#All the enrolled patients (n=30) were randomized to either the SBIRT group or the control group. In the current RCT, the proportion of the patients who reduced the amount of alcohol consumption and those who received a specialized treatment served as primary outcome measures. Moreover, changes in a 3-item version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C), Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6) scores at 3 months from baseline served as secondary outcome measures.@*RESULTS@#At 3 months, the proportion of the patients who reduced the amount of alcohol consumption was significantly higher in the SBIRT group as compared with the control group (86.7% vs. 57.1%, p=0.02). Moreover, the proportion of the patients who received a specialized treatment was also significantly higher as compared with the control group (26.7% vs. 1.4%, p=0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences in changes in the AUDIT, SDS and K-6 scores at 3 months from baseline between the two groups (p < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In conclusion, our results indicate that the SBIRT is effective in reducing hazardous and harmful levels of drinking, the degree of alcohol dependence and that of psychological distress in at-risk drinkers.

Stepwise verification of bone regeneration using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in rat fibula model

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to introduce our three experiments on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and its carriers performed using the critical sized segmental defect (CSD) model in rat fibula and to investigate development of animal models and carriers for more effective bone regeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the experiments, 14, 16, and 24 rats with CSDs on both fibulae were used in Experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. BMP-2 with absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) (Experiments 1 and 2), autoclaved autogenous bone (AAB) and fibrin glue (FG) (Experiment 3), and xenogenic bone (Experiment 2) were used in the experimental groups. Radiographic and histomorphological evaluations were performed during the follow-up period of each experiment. RESULTS: Significant new bone formation was commonly observed in all experimental groups using BMP-2 compared to control and xenograft (porcine bone) groups. Although there was some difference based on BMP carrier, regenerated bone volume was typically reduced by remodeling after initially forming excessive bone. CONCLUSION: BMP-2 demonstrates excellent ability for bone regeneration because of its osteoinductivity, but efficacy can be significantly different depending on its delivery system. ACS and FG showed relatively good bone regeneration capacity, satisfying the essential conditions of localization and release-control when used as BMP carriers. AAB could not provide release-control as a BMP carrier, but its space-maintenance role was remarkable. Carriers and scaffolds that can provide sufficient support to the BMP/carrier complex are necessary for large bone defects, and AAB is thought to be able to act as an effective scaffold. The CSD model of rat fibula is simple and useful for initial estimate of bone regeneration by agents including BMPs.

Alveolar bone necrosis and spontaneous tooth exfoliation associated with trigeminal herpes zoster: a report of three cases

Herpes zoster is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, an infection most commonly affecting the thoracolumbar trunk. Herpes Zoster Infection (HZI) may affect the cranial nerves, most frequently the trigeminal. HZI of the trigeminal nerve distribution network manifests as multiple, painful vesicular eruptions of the skin and mucosa which are innervated by the infected nerves. Oral vesicles usually appear after the skin manifestations. The vesicles rupture and coalesce, leaving mucosal erosions without subsequent scarring in most cases. The worst complication of HZI is post-herpetic neuralgia; other complications include facial scarring, motor nerve palsy and optic neuropathy. Osteonecrosis with spontaneous exfoliation of the teeth is an uncommon complication associated with HZI of the trigeminal nerve. We report several cases of osteomyelitis appearing on the mandible, caused by HZI, and triggering osteonecrosis or spontaneous tooth exfoliation.

Conservative resection of osteochondroma on mandibular condyle: A case report

Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign tumors of the axial skeleton, but is rarely found in the facial bones and extremely rare in mandibular condyle. The clinical signs and symptoms of osteochondroma of mandibular condyle may resemble those seen in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Condylectomy have been the first choice for treatment of osteochondroma, but it may be with some complicaitons, loss of condylar vertical height, etc. A 57 years old female patient who had an osteochondroma on left mandibular condyle visited to our clinic. We did surgically remove the mass with favorable result, so we present the case with review of literatures.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Maxillary Sinus: A Case Report

Leiomyosarcoma(LMS) is a malignant neoplasm of smooth muscle origin, which accounts for 7 % of all soft tissue sarcomas. The most common sites are the gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract. In contrast, primary LMS of the oral and maxillofacial area is rare due to the paucity of smooth muscle in this region. Especially, LMS of the paranasal sinuses is very rare and has an aggressive clinical behavior. Only 28 cases have been described in the english literature, and of these, only 3 patients treated with surgery had a disease-free survival. A 46-year-old woman came to our department for the evaluation of pain on right midface. After a diagnostic work-up, the lesion was diagnosed as LMS of the right maxillary sinus. The radical surgery was done and chemotherapy combined radiotherapy was followed from post operation 1 month. The patient was disease free at post-operation 1 year. We will report this case with literature review.