Ultrasound treatment of cellulitis in the maxillofacial region: a ten-year experience.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of cellulitis in the maxillofacial region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report our experience in the management of maxillofacial cellulitis in thirty six patients using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct to the standard treatment. The patients were allocated to two groups: group A, treated by surgery, drugs and ultrasound therapy, and group B, where the patients were treated only surgically and medicamentously. The effect of treatment was evaluated on the basis of inflamed tissue volume reduction and normalization of tissue structure determined by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The dynamic changes in the mean values of inflamed tissue volume indicated more rapid reduction in group A in which therapeutic ultrasound was applied. Analysis of the ultrasonographic images in group A demonstrated merging of the miliary liquid foci as early as the first day of treatment. They coalesced, and this coincided with the initiation of purulent discharge. The reduction in volume was due to the accelerated elimination of breakdown inflammatory products from the tissues. CONCLUSION: The better results in group A compared with group B suggest that the method for ultrasound management was effective and could be recommended for use in clinical practice.

Sarcomas of the mandible. Literature review and case reports.

Sarcomas of the maxillofacial region are rare tumors presenting with wide variety of histopathological and clinical features. The authors treated six patients with sarcomas of the mandible over a period of ten years: 2 patients with fibrosarcomas, 2 with lymphosarcomas, one with osteogenic sarcoma and one with chondrosarcoma. The patients' ages ranged from 28 to 65 years, one was male and five - female. The present study reports three cases (osteogenic sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma) with specific clinical and radiographic characteristics, demonstrating the differences between the various types of sarcomas. Special attention is paid to the first clinical signs and symptoms, and to the differential diagnosis with inflammatory conditions (post-extraction alveolitis, chronic odontogenic osteomyelitis), benign tumors (osteoblastoclastoma, ameloblastoma, odontogenic cysts, fibrous dysplasia) and centrally developing jaw carcinomas. Particular emphasis is given to CT imaging and morphological examinations in making an accurate diagnosis and providing adequate treatment. Early diagnosis and precise surgical treatment (total resection or hemiexarticulation, or neck dissection if submandibular or cervical metastases are present) are essential to achieve satisfactory management of these malignant neoplasms. The radiotherapy and chemotherapy administered according to the histologic features of the tumor are also of significance.