Relaciones anatómicas del cuerpo adiposo de la mejilla asociadas a complicaciones de bichectomía: a propósito de un caso / Anatomical relationships of the adipose buccal fat pad associated with bichectomy complications: about a case

RESUMEN: El presente estudio busca entregar conocimientos y aspectos importantes de las estructuras anatómicas asociadas al cuerpo adiposo de la mejilla (CAM), a consecuencia del reporte de un caso de complicación posterior a una bichectomía. Conocer los elementos anatómicos y sus relaciones con el CAM es de vital importancia, ya que en la actualidad son muchos los cursos y pasadas que se realizan para odontólogos generales y especialistas para el retiro del CAM, esto producto de la creciente demanda estética de las personas por presentar un perfil más fino y estilizado. El caso presentado corresponde a una mujer que consultó al servicio de urgencia por aumento de volumen facial posterior a la extracción del CAM, el cual se diagnosticó como sialocele, consecutivo a daño del conduc- to parotídeo. Al revisar la literatura y observar en nuestros preparados anatómicos se aprecia la cercanía de elementos de importancia, como son el conducto parotídeo, los ramos cigomático y bucal del nervio facial, vasos faciales como la arteria facial, vena facial y arteria transversa facial, es por esto que es necesario conocer en detalle la zona a intervenir y considerar las posibles variaciones anatómicas de estos elementos, para así evitar dañarlos durante el procedimiento, tomando una actitud preventiva. Apuntado entonces al objetivo de este estudio, fue lograr entregar información anatómica precisa y concisa de los elementos de importancia próximos o inmersos en el CAM, para prevenir la iatrogenia de estos.

SUMMARY: The present study seeks to provide knowledge and important aspects of the anatomical structures associated with the buccal fat pad (BFP), as consequence of the report of a case of complication after bichectomy. Knowing the anatomical elements and their relationships with BFP is of vital importance, because nowadays there are too many BFP removal courses and internships, for general dentists and specialists, due to the increasing aesthetic demands of individuals seeking a finer and more stylized profile. The case presented is a female patient who consults the emergency department for an increase in facial volume after BFP extraction, which was diagnosed as sialocele, following damage to the parotid duct. When reviewing the literature and observing our anatomical preparations, the proximity of important elements is appreciated, such as the parotid duct, the zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve, facial vessels such as the facial artery, facial vein and facial transverse artery. It is essential to know in detail the area in order to intervene and consider the possible anatomical variations of these elements to avoid injury during the procedure. The aimed objective of this study, is to provide accurate and concise anatomical information of important elements near or immersed in BFP, to prevent iatrogenesis.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of inflammatory swellings of buccal space.

Objectives : The main objective of the study was a) to differentiate cellulitis and abscess in buccal space region, b) to study the ultrasonographic anatomy of cheek region and c) to investigate the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of inflammatory swellings of cheek region. Patients and Methods : The study consisted of 25 patients with unilateral buccal space inflammatory swellings of odontogenic origin. The contra lateral side was used as control. Toshiba ultrasonographic device with a linear array transducer (5-8 MHz) was used. The areas of interest were scanned under both transverse and longitudinal sections and were interpreted by a single observer. The clinical diagnosis of cellulitis or abscess was confirmed by the absence or presence of pus respectively both sonographically and by aspiration. Also various anatomical structures present in buccal space were studied. Results : Clinically 23(92%) were diagnosed as buccal space abscess and 2 (8%) were cellulitis. Ultrasonographically and therapeutically 24 (96%) were buccal space abscess and 1 (4%) was cellulits. The sensitivity of clinical criteria over ultrasonographic diagnosis was 96% with a specificity of 100%. Also the cheek thickness in males and females varied from 8.2 to 17.1mm with a mean of 11.6mm±2.1 (SD) and 8.2 mm to 14.2 mm with a mean of 11±1.8 (SD). The subcutaneous tissue appeared moderately echogenic, buccinator - highly echogenic, deep adipose tissue - less echogenic and parotid duct was appreciated as a thin hyperechogenic band crossing the buccinator muscle. Buccal space, masticator space and parotid space were appreciated. Conclusion : This study supports the ultrasonographic method of imaging of orofacial inflammatory swellings with high sensitivity and specificity. This imaging modality can also help in aspiration of pus in different spaces. We have described the ultrasonographic anatomy of the above mentioned spaces which can help a beginner in this field.