Clinicopathologic and imaging features of odontogenic myxomas: a multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to report clinicopathologic and imaging features of odontogenic myxomas (OM), highlighting uncommon findings. METHODS: Clinicopathologic and imaging data of OMs diagnosed in the five Brazilian diagnostic pathology centers were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The series comprised 42 females (68.9%) and 19 males (31.1%), with a 2.2:1 female-to-male ratio and a mean age of 34.5±15.4 years (range: 4-80). Clinically, most OMs presented as painless intraoral swelling (n = 36; 70.6%) in the mandible (n=37; 59.7%). Multilocular lesions (n=30; 83.3%) were more common than unilocular lesions (n=6; 16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference between the average size of unilocular and multilocular OMs (p=0.2431). The borders of OMs were mainly well-defined (n=24; 66.7%) with different degrees of cortication. Only seven tumors caused tooth resorption (15.9%), while 24 (54.5%) caused tooth displacement. Cortical bone perforation was observed in 12 (38.7%) cases. Morphologically, OMs were characterized mainly by stellate or spindle-shaped cells in a myxoid background (n=53; 85.5%). Surgical resection was the most common treatment modality (n=15; 65.2%), followed by conservative surgery (n=8; 34.8%). Outcomes were available in 20 cases (32.3%). Seven of these patients had local recurrence (35%). Enucleation was the treatment with the highest recurrence rate (4/7; 57.1%). CONCLUSIONS: OM has a predilection for the posterior region of the jaws of female adults. Despite their bland morphological appearance, they displayed diverse imaging features. Clinicians must include the OM in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the jaws. A long follow-up is needed to monitor possible recurrences.

Accidental Intraoperative Mandibular Fracture in a Third Molar Surgery: When Surgical Skills Are Mandatory in the Face of Empiricism.

Iatrogenic mandible fractures are rare complications from third molar removal surgeries. While most documented cases stress risk factors inherent to the patient and tooth presentation in fractures' etiology, appreciation of the risk factors underlying the practitioner's skills is scarce. Here, we describe an intraoperative fracture in a healthy 26-year-old female resulting from an incompatible surgical technique during the right mandibular third molar removal. The patient showed facial swelling, pain, malocclusion, and significant mobility of the fractured segment. The surgical management involved an intraoral open reduction with the installation of titanium plates for the fixation of the bone segments. Thus, we highlight that acknowledging the extent of the operator's surgical skills should be part of comprehensive treatment planning, serving as a valuable measure to prevent iatrogenic mandible fractures besides avoiding a traumatic experience for the patient.