Desmoplastic ameloblastoma of mandible.

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma is one of the six histopathological subtypes of ameloblastoma. The age and gender groups affected by desmoplastic are similar to those affected by the conventional ameloblastoma. It usually presents as a painless enlargement of the jaw. Owing to its deceptive radiological appearance as a mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesion, it is often mistaken as a fibro-osseous lesion. Histologically, desmoplastic ameloblastoma has a densely collagenised and hypocellular stroma, where the epithelium tends to proliferate in the form of cords and nests instead of cellular islands. Most desmoplastic ameloblastomas display occasional classic islands of follicular ameloblastoma among the predominant strands and cords. Studies have shown that desmoplastic ameloblastoma shows a tendency to recur. We present a rare case of a tumour occurring in the anterior mandibular region in a 60-year-old man over a period of 11/2 months.

Diversities in presentations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

The incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) has been increasing worldwide over the last few years. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of the disease and is reported to occur in 25-60% of all EPTB cases. It is commonly seen in the cervical lymph nodes, but may also be in the larynx, pharynx, parotid and rarely, in the sinuses and petrous bone. The posterior triangle, supraclavicular and jugular nodes are most frequently affected. They are usually unilateral, although diffuse adenopathy may occur. TB involving cervical lymph nodes represents 50% of extrapulmonary TB. A series of six cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis with varying clinical features is documented here to alert one of its prevalence in developing countries.

'A harmless but confusing tumour on the anterior maxilla'.

Squamous odontogenic tumour (SOT) is a very rare benign neoplasm probably arising from rests of Malassez. Patients may present with an increase in the volume of the maxilla or mandible, tooth mobility, ulceration of the oral soft tissue, painful symptoms and tooth displacement. Radiographic features of SOT consist of a triangular-shaped radiolucent lesion adjacent to the roots of teeth. Histologically, care should be taken not to misdiagnose this condition as acanthomatous ameloblastoma or well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The authors are presenting a case of a 65-year-old male patient who presented with a painless swelling and diagnosed to be having SOT.

A bilaterally recurring exophytic mass on the lower jaw.

Brown tumour is a rare focal giant-cell lesion that arises as a direct result of the effect of parathyroid hormone on bone tissue in patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The lesions localise in areas of intense bone resorption, and the bone defect becomes filled with fibroblastic tissue. It can affect the mandible, maxilla, clavicle, ribs and pelvic bones. Therefore, diagnosis requires a systemic investigation for lesion differentiation. The authors present a case of a 27-year-old woman, with a rare case of brown tumour of mandible due to HPT secondary to osteomalacia. The lesion showed a tendency to recur even after excision till her parathyroid levels became normal.

Perilous periodontitis: a clinical study.

The aim of this study is to determine whether periodontitis in pregnant women could be a risk factor for pre term low birth weight. The oral hygiene status, periodontal status and periodontal treatment needs of mothers who birthed infants with normal birth weight and normal gestation period (group A) and mothers who birthed pre term low birth weight infants (group B) were assessed and compared. The clinical parameters used were Oral Hygiene Index--simplified (OHI-S), gingival bleeding index (GBI), probing pocket depth and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). This article presents the study and its findings and draws conclusions as to the relationship between poor periodontal condition and pre term low birth weight.