ABSTRACT
Plexiform neurofibroma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor known to be pathognomonic for neurofibromatosis type 1. However, solitary plexiform neurofibroma in the oral cavity is extremely rare. Herein, we presented a 73-year-old Saudi male with solitary plexiform neurofibroma located on the maxillary alveolar ridge, which was excised successfully using a 940 nm diode laser. Microscopic examination revealed a multinodular arrangement of benign spindle cells in a haphazard pattern. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining for S100 and CD34 in the tumor cells.
ABSTRACT
Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common reactive oral lesion predominantly involving the gingiva and rarely occurring on the dorsum of the tongue. It can develop at any age but more commonly in the second decade with a female predilection. Numerous factors are associated with its development, and surgical removal is the standard treatment. Various surgical modalities have been used to excise it. Herein, we report a case of a female patient in her late 60s who presented with an exophytic lesion involving the dorsum of the tongue, which was excised using a 940 nm diode laser. In addition, it discusses the advantages of diode laser as a surgical modality and describes this lesion's clinical features and pathogenesis.
ABSTRACT
In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of transplantation-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is high, and there is disparity in the prevalence rates of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection between patients with renal disease and the general population. It was hypothesized that oral HHV-8 transmission among patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment contributes to the high prevalence of infection in renal disease patients. The detection rates of anti-HHV8-IgG in plasma and HHV-8-DNA in CD45(+)-peripheral blood cells of 72 hemodialysis patients were compared first with those of 178 blood donors and 60 pregnant women. Between the hemodialysis patients and the apparently healthy people sampled, the detection rate of anti-HHV-8-IgG was 16.7% versus 0.4% (P < 0.001) and that of HHV-8-DNA was 4.2% versus 0.4%, (P < 0.05). HHV-8 DNA was determined in oral samples and the HHV-8 viral load measured in saliva of patients undergoing hemodialysis. The amount of virus shed into saliva ranged between 8,600 and 119,562,500 (mean: 24,009,360) genome-equivalents/ml among the five patients in whom oral HHV-8 DNA was detected. Finally, HHV-8-subgenomic sequencing was conducted which showed that orally shed HHV-8 in four patients belonged to genotype C2, and in one patient to genotypes A1 and C2. HHV-8 shed in the mouth of hemodialysis patients may be extensive and diverse. Oral fluid in addition to blood is thus a likely vehicle for transmission of HHV-8, possibly contributing to the high risk of HHV-8 infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis and to KS following immunosuppression after renal transplantation.
Subject(s)
Blood/virology , Herpesviridae Infections/virology , Herpesvirus 8, Human/physiology , Mouth/virology , Renal Dialysis , Sarcoma, Kaposi/virology , Virus Shedding/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Cross Infection/transmission , Cross Infection/virology , Female , Herpesviridae Infections/transmission , Herpesvirus 8, Human/classification , Herpesvirus 8, Human/genetics , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Kidney Transplantation , Male , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Saliva/virology , Saudi Arabia , Viral Load , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness and knowledge of physicians and dentists regarding bisphosphonates related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Dentistry, Riyadh Military Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from June to September 2010. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed among a sample of physicians and dentists at the hospital. RESULTS: A total of 222 valid completed responses were obtained (response rate: 82.2%). Less than one-third of the participants (31.5%) were aware of osteonecrosis of the jaw, while slightly more than half of them were treating patients with bisphosphonates (BP). None of the physicians had a correct response in all 4 knowledge questions. There were statistically significant associations between knowledge and qualification (p=0.019), years of experience (p=0.002), and specialty (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: We found that physicians and dentists have low awareness and deficient knowledge regarding BRONJ, although most of them do prescribe BP to their patients. Therefore, intervention to raise awareness and knowledge among healthcare providers is needed.
