Mandibular Reconstruction: Overview.

INTRODUCTION: Mandibular reconstruction has changed significantly over the years and continues to evolve with the introduction of newer technologies and techniques. PURPOSE: This article reviews the history of oromandibular reconstruction, biomechanics of mandible, summarizes the reconstruction options available for mandible with defect classification, goals in reconstruction, the various donor sites, current reconstructive options, dental rehabilitation and persistent associated problems. SUMMARY: Oromandibular reconstruction, although a challenge for the head and neck reconstructive surgeon, is now reliable and highly successful with excellent long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes with the use of autogenous bone grafts and current reconstructive options. The ideal reconstruction would provide a solid arch to articulate with the upper jaw, restoring swallowing speech, mastication, and esthetics. Autogenous vascularized bone grafts in combination with microsurgical techniques have revolutionized mandibular reconstruction in oral cancer surgery. Current trends in mandibular reconstruction aim to achieve reestablishment of a viable mandible of proper form and maxillary mandibular relationship while decreasing the need for invasive autogenous graft procurement. However the optimal reconstruction of mandibular defects is still controversial in regards to reconstructive options which include the donor site selection, timing of surgery and method of reconstruction.

Myofibroma-a rare entity with unique clinical presentation.

Myofibroma and myofibromatosis is a well-recognized spindle cell neoplasm that occurs predominantly in infants and young children. They have been described under different names since 1951. These lesions are a benign fibroblast and myofibroblast proliferation containing a biphasic presentation of spindle shaped cells surrounding a central zone of less differentiated cells focally arranged in a hemangiopericytoma like pattern. Classically these lesions are described in children younger than two, with 2/3rd present at birth and rarely in adults. Controversy exists as to an autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance or to a sporadic occurrence. Presented here is a unique case of myofibroma involving the mandible in a 11 year-old male patient. Clinically it mimicked more like a beningn tumor and not exhibiting any of its classical signs. The diagnosis could be established only after complete excision of the lesion and histopathological examination. There was no recurrence after a follow up period of 4 months.

Glandular odontogenic cyst involving the posterior part of maxillary sinus, a rare entity.

The Glandular Odontogenic Cyst (GOC) was first coined by Gardner et al. [2], in 1988 as an odontogenic origin, is a rare developmental lesion considered a distinct entity because of its uncommon clinical and histopathological characteristics. This lesion can involve either jaws, but the anterior region of the mandible is the most affected area. It strikes distinct age groups, with an average patient age of 50 years. Radiographically, GOC does not display specific or pathognomonic features. It may present as a multilocular or unilocular radiolucencies. The cyst has an aggressive nature and high tendency of recurrence, so long-term follow-up should be carried out. The treatment is controversial, varying from conservative methods to block excision. It is believed that the low prevalence of GOC in the literature is because of not only its rarity, but principally to the fact that its main characteristics are also found in other pathological entities, thereby generating controversial diagnoses. The aim of this paper is to present a rare case of Glandular Odontogenic Cyst (GOC), which is uncommon in the posterior maxilla, that mimicks the lateral odontogenic cyst/botroid odontogenic cyst/Central Muco-epidermoid carcinoma. Owing to its tendency to recur, the lesion needs careful and meticulous planning for its surgical removal.