Registration of magnetic resonance and computed tomography images in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma for three-dimensional virtual planning of mandibular resection and reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and present an automated method for registration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) or cone beam CT (CBCT) images of the mandibular region for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Registered MRI and (CB)CT could facilitate the three-dimensional virtual planning of surgical guides employed for resection and reconstruction in patients with OSCC with mandibular invasion. MRI and (CB)CT images were collected retrospectively from 19 patients. MRI images were aligned with (CB)CT images employing a rigid registration approach (stage 1), a rigid registration approach using a mandibular mask (stage 2), and two non-rigid registration approaches (stage 3). Registration accuracy was quantified by the mean target registration error (mTRE), calculated over a set of landmarks annotated by two observers. Stage 2 achieved the best registration result, with an mTRE of 2.5±0.7mm, which was comparable to the inter- and intra-observer variabilities of landmark placement in MRI. Stage 2 was significantly better aligned compared to all approaches in stage 3. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that rigid registration with the use of a mask is an appropriate image registration method for aligning MRI and (CB)CT images of the mandibular region in patients with OSCC.

Deep hyperthermia with the HYPERcollar system combined with irradiation for advanced head and neck carcinoma - a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) treatment of locally-advanced and recurrent head and neck carcinoma (HNC) results in disappointing outcomes. Combination of RT with cisplatin or cetuximab improves survival but the increased toxicity and patient's comorbidity warrant the need for a less-toxic radiosensitizer. Stimulated by several randomized studies demonstrating the radio-sensitizing effect of hyperthermia, we developed the HYPERcollar. Here, we report early experience and toxicity in patients with advanced HNC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 119 hyperthermia treatments given to 27 patients were analyzed. Hyperthermia was applied once a week by the HYPERcollar aimed at achieving 39-43 °C in the target area, up to patients' tolerance. Pre-treatment planning was used to optimize treatment settings. When possible, invasive thermometry catheters were placed. RESULTS: Mean power applied during the 119 hyperthermia treatments ranged from 120 to 1007 W (median 543 W). 15 (13%) hyperthermia treatments were not fully completed due to: pain allocated to hyperthermia (6/15), dyspnea from sticky saliva associated with irradiation (2/15) and unknown reasons (7/15). No severe complications or enhanced thermal or mucosal toxicities were observed. Excluding post-operative treatment, response rates after 3 months were 46% (complete) and 7% (partial). CONCLUSION: Hyperthermia with the HYPERcollar proved to be safe and feasible with good compliance and promising outcome.

Discrimination between oral cancer and healthy tissue based on water content determined by Raman spectroscopy.

Tumor-positive resection margins are a major problem in oral cancer surgery. High-wavenumber Raman spectroscopy is a reliable technique to determine the water content of tissues, which may contribute to differentiate between tumor and healthy tissue. The aim of this study was to examine the use of Raman spectroscopy to differentiate tumor from surrounding healthy tissue in oral squamous cell carcinoma. From 14 patients undergoing tongue resection for squamous cell carcinoma, the water content was determined at 170 locations on freshly excised tongue specimens using the Raman bands of the OH-stretching vibrations (3350-3550 cm(-1)) and of the CH-stretching vibrations (2910-2965 cm(-1)). The results were correlated with histopathological assessment of hematoxylin and eosin stained thin tissue sections obtained from the Raman measurement locations. The water content values from squamous cell carcinoma measurements were significantly higher than from surrounding healthy tissue (p-value < 0.0001). Tumor tissue could be detected with a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 92% using a cutoff water content value of 69%. Because the Raman measurements are fast and can be carried out on freshly excised tissue without any tissue preparation, this finding signifies an important step toward the development of an intraoperative tool for tumor resection guidance with the aim of enabling oncological radical surgery and improvement of patient outcome.

[Single tooth replacement with an implant. Possibilities and limitations]. / Solitaire tandvervanging door implantaten. Mogelijkheden en beperkingen.

Implant treatment in case of a single missing tooth can potentially lead to a well functioning and aesthetically pleasing single crown on an implant. However, in order to achieve an optimal treatment result, a long road has to be travelled since usually resorption defects have to be repaired and soft tissue corrections are frequently necessary. This paper provides information regarding commonly observed situations and their consequences for the prognosis of implant treatment. It is concluded that a single tooth implant can be an elegant solution, though not an easy one. It requires a high degree of experience and surgical and prosthetic capabilities of the dentist. The natural situation can only be mimicked if all stages of treatment are adequately planned and conducted and if no major complications occur in the process. To prevent disappointments, both dentist and patient should be well aware of all conditions required for an optimal result.

Contamination of traditional drinking water sources during a period of extreme drought in the Zvimba communal lands, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: Diarrhoeal disease is a significant public health concern in Zimbabwe, particularly for the population living in rural settings. The present study was undertaken to investigate the quality of water in a rural area of Zimbabwe during a period of extreme drought. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross sectional survey study design was used. During the month of July 1995, water samples were collected from various actively used sources in the Zvimba communal lands, Zimbabwe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The level of contamination was estimated by use of the membrane filtration technique to detect the presence of Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Mean concentrations of E. coli found in boreholes and piped water were 9.3 and zero colonies per 100 ml, respectively. Using standardized criteria to define suitable drinking water quality, borehole and piped sources were determined to be more likely to provide satisfactory drinking water. CONCLUSIONS: Water samples collected from semi-protected and unprotected wells, which serve the majority of the population in the study area, were found to be unsatisfactory for drinking (range from two to 1,960 colonies of E. coli per 100 ml). Included are suggestions on how to efficiently utilize available water.