Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a pediatric patient: A typical presentation with oral manifestations.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare hematological disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells. Head and neck region is commonly involved with oral manifestations appearing first in many instances. A thorough knowledge of the disorder and an interdisciplinary approach warrant for the better outcome of the condition.

Efficacy of Curcumin in Combination with Intralesional Dexamethasone with Hyaluronidase in the Treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of curcumin in combination with  intralesional dexamethasone with hyaluronidase in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). METHODS: This randomized, double blind, parallel design, clinical trial was conducted at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. Thirty-four patients with clinically diagnosed OSF were randomized into two groups (17 participants in each) with baseline treatment of intralesional dexamethasone with hyaluronidase for 6 weeks for the both. Curcumin (2gm/day) was provided to Group A (Test) and Group B (Control) received placebo. Interincisal mouth opening, tongue protrusion, cheek flexibility and visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring of burning sensation of oral mucosa was recorded at baseline, 6, 8 and 12 weeks follow-up and independent t-test was used to compare the improvements in two groups. RESULTS: On comparing the 6 weeks and baseline values, in Group A and B the mean difference in mouth opening was 8.82±1.33 mm and 5.53±1.17 mm respectively (p<0.001), in cheek flexibility was 2.94±1.02 mm and 1.94±1.24 mm respectively (p=0.02) and in tongue protrusion was 6.23±1.48 and 3.65±1.37 mm respectively (p<0.001). The findings were consistent in the 8 weeks follow-up. In 12 weeks follow-up, on comparing with the baseline values, in Group A and B, the mean difference in mouth opening was 8.71±1.16 mm and 5.35±1.22 mm respectively (<0.001), ), in cheek flexibility was 2.81±1.01 mm and 1.76±1.35 mm respectively (p=0.02) and in tongue protrusion was 6.06±1.48 and 3.35±1.50 mm respectively (p<0.001). Both the arms showed 100% improvement in burning sensation in 6, 8 and 12 weeks follow-up. CONCLUSION: Curcumin in combination with intralesional dexamethasone with hyaluronidase is efficacious in the treatment of OSF.

Prevalence of Agenesis of Mandibular Third Molars in A Tertiary Healthcare Centre of Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Racial variation, genetic inheritance and various other factors can affect the jaw size and ultimately the tooth size and number. Studies for agenesis of mandibular third molars have been carried out in various populations but the data relating to these are not evident from most of the parts of Nepal. Hence, the objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence of agenesis of mandibular third molars among the population of patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Oral Medicine And Radiology, College of Dental Surgery, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences from September 2015 to September 2016 after taking ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee. Two hundred and eighty four patients (568 sites of third molar bilaterally), visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were studied with Panoramic Radiograph to assess for agenesis of mandibular third molars bilaterally. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel sheet and transferred to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5. RESULTS: Out of 284 participants, 568 sites of mandibular third molars were evaluated and agenesis was seen among 163 (28.7%) participants at the confidence interval of 95% (28.643 to 28.757). Total numbers of patient with single missing mandibular third molar were 35 (6.2%). Twenty one had agenesis only on the right side and 14 had agenesis only on the left. The total number of patients with agenesis of both the mandibular third molars was 64 (22.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Agenesis was highly prevalent in this study group. The likelihood of third molar being absent on one side, when there was concurrent missing third molar on the other side of mandible was also high.

Risk Assessment of Smokeless Tobacco among Oral Precancer and Cancer Patients in Eastern Developmental Region of Nepal

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC) are preventable oral mucosal diseases prevalent in Asian region. This epidemiological study aims to identify oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC), confirm histopathologically, and treat or refer these cases among the population of Eastern Development Region (EDR) of Nepal. It also attempts to assess the risk factors associated in order to compare dose­response measurements of oral habits in these patients. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted over a period of 2 years in 16 districts of EDR. A total of 3,200 people were screened. A brief history was taken and visual screening examination was conducted in two phases as described by British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Program. Suspicious oral lesions were biopsied either by punch or scalpel after toluidine blue staining. Tissue specimen was transported to the institutional lab for histopathological processing. The reports were sent to the patients through the local leaders or organizations. Results: More than 40% of the study population either chewed areca nut and/or tobacco. Eighteen percent were smokers. OPMDs were prevalent among 468 study population with male-female ratio of 3:1. Tobacco pouch keratosis (50.4%) was the most prevalent OPMD, followed by OSF (29.1%). Fifty-two had squamous cell carcinoma and 8 had verrucous carcinoma. Conclusion: Chewing areca nut, tobacco, commercial areca nut/tobacco preparation and smoking being the major risk factors, there is high prevalence of oral cancer and OPMDs in the EDR of Nepal.

Dentigerous Cystic Changes in the Follicles Associated with Radiographically Normal Impacted Mandibular Third Molars.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of dentigerous cystic changes in the follicles of radiographically normal impacted mandibular third molars. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen follicles obtained after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars with radiolucency of less than 2.5 mm in the radiograph were sent for histopathologic evaluation to evaluate pathologic changes. RESULTS: The incidence of dentigerous cystic changes observed was 15.9%, that is, 18 out of 113 patients (51 males and 62 females), with the maximum incidence of cystic changes seen in the follicular space size of 0.5 mm. The mean age of the patients included was 27.8 ± 8.1. The most common indication for extraction among the patients in this study was recurrent pericoronitis (95%). There were no statistically significant differences in occurrence of cystic changes based on age, gender, angulation, relation to ramus, depth, side of impaction, and follicle size (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dental follicles obtained from surgically removed impacted mandibular third molars should be submitted for histopathologic examination irrespective of the radiographic size of the follicle.