Squamous cell carcinomas of the lower lip.

During a 10-year period, 30 patients with lesions of the lower lip, suspected to be cancerous, were operated on by primary resection without a prior biopsy. The patients have been continuously followed to evaluate if the treatment strategy, with avoidance of an incisional biopsy, might influence local recurrence and metastatic rate. One patient developed a second primary lesion, and none of the patients had local recurrences. Local lymph node metastases were detected in two patients. There was full agreement between the initial clinical and histopathological diagnosis among 26 patients with squamous cell carcinomas. In another two patients, the histopathological examination revealed severe epithelial dysplasia, and finally one case was diagnosed histopathologically as a keratoacanthoma. In 29 out of the 30 cases, a pre-treatment biopsy would not have influenced the extent of the surgical procedure.

p53 protein expression in squamocellular carcinomas of the lip.

Twenty-six cases of squamocellular carcinomas of the lip were immunostained for p53 protein. Nuclear accumulation of p53 protein was observed in 88% of the 26 carcinomas, in 64% of adjacent "normal" epithelium and in all four cases with adjacent atypical squamous epithelium. 93% of the specimens (13/14) with p53 protein accumulation in "normal" epithelium demonstrated evidence of solar elastosis. UV radiation may induce p53 gene mutation as an early event in the neoplastic transformation.

The rise and fall of a new anti-inflammatory analgesic.

The efficacy of a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), GP 53.633 (GP), was tested versus placebo in a double-blind cross-over study. 24 healthy young individuals with impacted asymptomatic lower third molars, of similar shape and position in the jaw on both sides, underwent surgery on 2 separate occasions. The patients randomly received the active drug at one and placebo at the other operation. A number of subjective and objective assessments were made for paired comparison, including: pain, local temperature, swelling, post-operative bleeding, trismus, adverse effects, preference scores, wound healing, bone regeneration and laboratory examinations. The drug caused a significant reduction of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus. Global therapeutic effect and preference scores were highly in favour of the active drug. In the GP period, there was a statistically significant reduction in Hgb, RBC, lymphocytes and ESR, and an increase in neutrophils 3 days after the operation, compared to placebo. Individual values indicate a potentially clinically relevant effect of GP on Hgb and RBC. The clinical relevance of the changes in neutrophil and lymphocyte count, however, is questionable. The drug seemed to have no influence on the other laboratory parameters studied. Adverse effects occurred in 2 patients on GP and in 7 patients on placebo. The drug compares favourably with other NSAID tested in the same model.

[Induction of jaw bone formation by tooth autotransplantation]. / Induksjon av kjevekamvekst ved hjelp av autotransplantasjon av tannanlegg.

A case-report of segmental underdevelopment of the alveolar process in the upper jaw of an eleven-year old girl is presented. At the site where the alveolar ridge was underdeveloped, two impacted malformed incisors were found. The malformed teeth had almost normal crowns, but the root-development had terminated 1-2 mm beyond the cementoenamel junction. The patient was treated by removal of the two malformed impacted teeth, followed by autotransplantation of the developing second premolar with the intention of inducing bone formation. The result was promising. After 3 years the alveolar process had developed to almost normal vertical hight. Some considerations are made regarding the possible origin of the bone induction factors in tooth buds. The fact that this patient demonstrated an underdevelopment of the alveolar process in spite of the formation of almost normal crowns, is taken as evidence that the bone stimulating principle in tooth buds are not to be found in the enamel organ proper, but must be related to Hertwig's epithelial sheath, root development and tooth eruption.

[Lateral periodontal cysts]. / Laterale periodontalcyster

The lateral periodontal cyst is a rather infrequently reported odontogenic cyst. The cyst seems to develop in direct contact to the periodontal membrane of an erupted vital tooth. This type of cyst should not be confused with a radicular cyst in a lateral position developing as a consequence of inflammation from an infected or necrotic branch of the pulp canal. Several authors do not differentiate between the lateral periodontal cyst and the gingival cyst, but it seems justified to consider the lateral periodontal cysts as a separate entity of odontogenic cysts. In this origin of the lateral periodontal cyst is reviewed and several possibilities are discussed. It is concluded that the epithelial lining of this type of cysts most probably originates from the cell rests of Malassez. Case report of one lateral periodontal cyst is presented.

[Habitual dislocation of the temporomandibular joint]. / Habituell kjeveleddsluksasjon

A case of recurrent dislocation of the left temporamandibular joint is reported. Different methods of treatment are reviewed. The present case was successfully treated with a combination of two methods: 1. Restriction of excessive condylar movement by means of continuous loop wiring and intermaxillary monofilament fishing line. 2. Intra-articular injections of autologous blood.