Mixed-Thickness Tunnel Access (MiTT) through a Linear Vertical Mucosal Incision for a Minimally Invasive Approach for Root Coverage Procedures in Anterior and Posterior Sites: Technical Description and Case Series with 1-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: The goal of this article was to introduce a new root coverage (RC) technique, the mixed-thickness tunnel access (MiTT) technique, which approaches a full-split design and intends to augment soft tissues coronal to the gingival margin. It was shown step-by-step, and the results were presented in a case series. METHODS: Healthy individuals (non-diabetics) and non-smokers with gingival recession (GR) type 1 or 2 (RT1 or RT2) were included. After evaluation, prophylaxis was performed 14 days before the surgical procedure. During the surgical appointment, one or two vertical incision(s) on the mucosa (around 1-2 mm apical to the MGJ), lateral to the papilla base, was/were performed after anesthesia. Initially, there was a partial incision to detach the mucosa of the muscles (split design). It was permitted (but not mandatory) to perform intrasulcular incisions. Through the vertical incision, internally, subperiosteal access from the MGJ toward the gingival margin (coronally) was performed to create a full-thickness tunnel. Then, communication from the vertical incision with the gingival sulcus and the papilla base occurred, keeping the papilla tip intact. A connective tissue graft was harvested and inserted through the linear incision or intrasulcularly. There were interrupted sutures. An adjunctive material may be applied (e.g., Endogain). The root coverage was measured using a periodontal probe and considered fully covered when the gingival margin was 1 mm coronal to the cementum-enamel junction (CEJ). RESULTS: Nine healthy individuals (seven females and two males) aged 19 and 43 were enrolled. They were treated following the MiTT steps. Four cases had a single GR; two patients had two teeth involved; and three others had three or four GR. There were seven cases of RT1 and two RT2. All RT1 cases achieved 100% RC, while the mean RC obtained for RT2 was around 80%. CONCLUSION: The MiTT technique can be considered a more straightforward approach for minimally invasive surgical techniques, which is a feasible option to treat RC with a high success rate, predictability, and esthetic preservation. Therefore, there is a technical sensitivity to performing the full-split design procedure.

Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Promote Facial Rejuvenation? Revising the Latest Evidence in a Narrative Review.

Facial aging is characterized by progressive macroscopic, histological, and molecular changes. Due to its regenerative and rejuvenating properties, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a facial antiaging agent has gained popularity over the last decade. In order to gather and evaluate the latest evidence focusing on the effect of PRP on facial skin rejuvenating, a search through MEDLINE (PubMed) using relevant keywords, inclusion, and exclusion criteria was performed. A total of 539 articles were initially retrieved, and from those, 16 were included in the review. Treatment protocols comprised the use of PRP both in monotherapy and in combination with other substances and by means of direct injection or topical application following skin permeation. The selected studies presented high variability regarding PRP preparation methods, administration protocols, and results assessment. In most studies, PRP seemed to improve to some degree the signs of facial aging, such has wrinkles, skin quality, and pigmentation, accompanied by significant histological and molecular responses. Optimizing treatment protocols should be the next step in assessing the full potential of PRP.

Unusual Extensive Physiologic Pigmentation of the Tongue: A Case Report.

The deposition of colored endogenous or exogenous substances in the tissues of the tongue may result in pigmented lesions of the lingual mucosa. The accurate identification of the underlying condition can be difficult to achieve and relies mainly on patient history and clinical and histological evaluation. We present the case of a 30-year-old male referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of extensive pigmentation of the lingual dorsum. A diagnosis of physiologic pigmentation based on clinical and histological findings was made. Since some life-threatening diseases may present solely as pigmented lesions of the tongue, an early diagnosis is of utmost importance.

Smart Manufacturing and Digitalization of Metrology: A Systematic Literature Review and a Research Agenda.

Smart manufacturing comprises fully integrated manufacturing systems that respond in real time to meet the changing demands and conditions in industrial activities, supply networks and customer needs. A smart manufacturing environment will face new challenges, including those concerning metrological issues, i.e., analysis of large quantities of data; communication systems for digitalization; measurement standards for automated process control; digital transformation of metrological services; and simulations and virtual measurement processes for the automatic assessment of measured data. Based on the assumption that the interplay between smart manufacturing and digitalization of metrology is an emerging research field, this paper aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) based on a bibliographic data collection of 160 scientific articles retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases over the 2016-2022 time frame. The findings presented in this review and recommendations for building a research agenda can help policy makers, researchers and practitioners by providing directions for the evolution of digital metrology and its role in the digitalization of the economy and society.

Liquid Platelet-Rich Fibrin Coating Implant Surface to Enhance Osseointegration: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Split-Mouth Trial with 1-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a liquid platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)-coated implant surface (double acid-etched) on osseointegration, analyzing the stability and the possibility of shortening the rehabilitation period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, the blood was centrifuged to obtain the liquid PRF (2,000 revolutions per minute [rpm], 10 minutes), dividing a sample to be analyzed by Luminex, and another was applied onto the implant surface. Fifteen patients (30 implants) were divided into two groups (control and liquid PRF). Following the recommendation provided by the manufacturer, within a controlled torque at a maximum of 34 N.mm, the implant was placed. All patients had 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: Eleven analytes were identified for the sample characterization (IP-10, eotaxin, RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-beta [MIP-1ß], VEGF, PDGF-BB, bFGF, IFN-γ, interleukin [IL]-5, IL-10, and IL-15). Regarding clinical evaluation, for control and liquid PRF groups, respectively, (1) the mean torque for implant placement was 26.67 and 27.27 N.mm; (2) the initial stability (implant stability quotient [ISQ]) was 64.87 (SD ± 6.01) and 67.36 (SD ± 7.21); (3) the final ISQ was 67.67 (SD ± 6.13) and 70.14 (SD ± 6.40); (4) it took an average 73 and 71 days to reestablish the masticatory function; (5) the survival rate was 93.3% and 86.6%; and (6) the marginal bone loss was up to 1.0 mm after 1 year (control)-for two patients, it was between 1.0 and 2.0 mm, and for another two subjects, it was up to 1 mm (liquid PRF). No statistical significance was observed for all parameters analyzed (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the results indicated that there was no statistical significance when liquid PRF was applied on the implant surface, for all parameters.

Pilomatrixoma Recurring as Giant Form.

Pilomatrixoma is a benign skin tumor that originates from the hair matrix. It usually appears in children and young adults and is preferably in the head and neck region. It clinically presents as an asymptomatic firm, solitary subcutaneous mass of less than 3 cm. When located in the preauricular area, it is often misdiagnosed as benign or malignant parotids, skin tumors, or sebaceous cysts. Its treatment of choice is surgery, and recurrence is due to incomplete excision. We present a case of a male referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of recurrent pilomatrixoma in its giant form. The lesion was fully excised with no signs of recurrence and no functional impairment.

1-Year of covid-19 pandemic: changes in the epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma / 1 año de pandemia de COVID-19: cambios en la epidemiología del trauma maxilofacial

Objectives: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing policies were enacted worldwide, including by the Portuguese official authorities. However, the impact of these measures on maxillofacial trauma and fracture surgical repair remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the incidence and aetiology of facial fractures submitted to surgical repair during 1-year of COVID-19 pandemic versus the previous 4 years, in a level III Trauma Centre located in Lisbon, Portugal. Materials and methods: All emergency episodes registered in our hospital between March 2016 and February 2021 that resulted in patient admittance for surgical treatment of facial fracture were included. Comparative analysis was performed for variables such as fracture type and aetiology. Results: Analysis showed that surgeries performed during the 1st year of COVID-19 were reduced by 37.5 %. Considering only the 75-day lockdown period at the beginning of the pandemic, reduction was even more pronounced and reached -66.7 %. Significant diffe­rences in the aetiology were also found, with physical assault and sport accidents relative frequency decreasing. Moreover, despite being systematically the second most common cause of fracture, during lockdown, fall ranked first, over physical assault. The relative frequency of nasal fractures, the most common facial fracture treated in our hospital, decreased during both the 1st year of COVID-19 and the lockdown period, while mandible fractures ranked first during lockdown. (AU)

Objetivos: Debido a la pandemia por COVID-19, se establecieron políticas de confinamiento social mundial, incluso por parte de las autoridades oficiales portuguesas. Sin embargo, el impacto de estas medidas sobre la cirugía originada por traumatismo maxilofacial sigue siendo poco conocida. El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido evaluar y comparar la incidencia sobre la etiología de las fracturas faciales quirúrgicas, durante 1 año de pandemia de COVID-19 versus los 4 años anteriores, en un Centro de Traumatología (nivel III) ubicado en Lisboa, Portugal. Materiales y métodos: Se incluyeron todos los registros de urgencia en nuestro hospital, entre marzo de 2016 y febrero de 2021, que cursaron con el ingreso de pacientes diagnosticados de fractura facial y su correspondiente tratamiento quirúrgico. Se realizó un análisis comparativo de variables cualitativas como el tipo de fractura y la etiología de las mismas. Resultados: El análisis mostró que las cirugías realizadas durante el primer año por COVID-19 se redujeron en un 37,5 %. Teniendo en cuenta solo el periodo de confinamiento de 75 días al comienzo de la pandemia, la reducción fue aún más pronunciada y alcanzó el 66,7 %. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la etiología_ disminuyendo la frecuencia relativa de agresiones físicas y accidentes deportivos. A pesar de ser sistemáticamente la segunda causa más frecuente de fractura durante el confinamiento, la caída ocupó el primer lugar, por encima de las agresiones físicas. La frecuencia relativa de las fracturas nasales, fractura facial tratada con mayor incidencia en nuestro hospital, disminuyó tanto durante el primer año por COVID-19 así como durante el periodo de confinamiento, mientras que las fracturas maxilares ocuparon el primer lugar durante el confinamiento. (AU)

Influence of tendon injuries on the clinical outcome of ankle and hindfoot fractures.

BACKGROUND: Associations of tendon injuries with ankle and hindfoot fractures is a current concern and recent research has linked specific fractures with specific tendon injuries, despite its functional impact being unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess that impact. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of patients with ankle and hindfoot fractures were reviewed for tendon injuries. Patients were clinically evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), via a telephonic interview. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included in the study. The mean age was of 49.9 ± 16.5 (14-80) years and there were 43 females (50,6%). Mean follow-up was of 43,7 ± 15,1 (24,4-82,2) months. Tendon injuries were identified in 23 patients (27,1%) and the most common lesion was tendon entrapment. The tibialis posterior tendon (TP) was injured in 18 patients (21,2%) and comprised 58,1% of all tendon injuries. Tendon injuries were mostly associated with pilon fractures, which was the most common fracture type (44,7%). There was no clinical difference between patients with a tendon injury [VAS of 4,3 ± 2,6 (0-8) and MOXFQ score of 35,1 ± 22,4 (5-80)], and those without [VAS of 3,9 ± 2,5 (0-10) and MOXFQ of 34,3 ± 26,0 (0-95), respectively (p = 0,281 and 0,689)]. CONCLUSION: Tendon injuries were present in 27% of patients with ankle and hindfoot injuries. The most frequently injured tendon was the TP in association with pilon fractures, with entrapment being the most common lesion. These lesions, however, do not seem to reflect in a worse functional outcome at two years of follow-up.

Pheochromocytoma: a retrospective study from a single center.

Objectives. Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor derived from chromaffin tissue more frequently found in the adrenal medulla. Many discoveries over the last decade have significantly improved our understanding of PCC.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a histological diagnosis of PCC at the Centro Hospitalar Universitario de Sao Joao, a tertiary and university hospital in Oporto, Portugal, between January 2009 and December 2017.Results. The study group included 33 patients. In most cases the diagnosis was suspected with more than half of patients presenting with hypertension and the third diagnosed during the work-up of an adrenal incidentaloma. About half of the patients was referred for genetic testing and 6 patients had a positive inherited susceptibility genetic pathogenic variant associated with classic cancer predisposition syndromes and also associated with newly described genes. In the incidentaloma group, genetic testing was performed in 3 (9%) patients with only 1 positive result. In the suspected group, 15 (45%) genetic tests were performed.Conclusions. In contrast to other studies, where only a minority of patients with PCC were referred for genetic counselling, in our study 54% of patients was referred for genetic testing. This study suggests that clinicians were correctly recognizing the need to refer young patients and patients with positive family history. However, opportunities for genetic testing are frequently missed due to low referral rates in patients with apparently sporadic PCC, particularly older than 30 years old. It is imperative that all the providers involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with pheochromocytomas are aware of the genetic disorders associated with these unique tumors.

Gossypiboma and Total Hip Arthroplasty -- A Rare Accidental Finding Following a Periprosthetic Infection.

Introduction: Gossypiboma or textiloma is the technical term used to describe a surgical complication related to accidental retention of surgical material within the body, most often surgical swabs. Since it is rare in orthopedic surgery, its diagnostis is less common and often initially mistaken with soft-tissue tumors. The aim of this study is to point out the importance of this differential diagnosis in the event of clinical swelling or accidental intraoperative finding associated with previous surgery. Case Report: Female patient presenting with 3 weeks hip pain and inflammatory signs, with a past history of a total hip arthroplasty 15 years before.Analytically presented C-reactive protein CRP of 13.67 mg/dl. Ultrasound and computed tomography CT scan revealed a solid lesion in the anterior thigh root and a liquid lesion in the lateral region of the hip. Discussion: Gossypibomas can be classified into two types: The aseptic fibrous type, which produces adhesions and a fibrotic capsule, and the exudative type, which is characterized by abscess formation. This case report refers to an aseptic fibrous type, given an asymptomatic evolution over 15 years and histopathological findings. However, this diagnosis occurred following a periprosthetic hip infection.

Lemierre's syndrome: a forgotten life-threatening entity.

Lemierre's syndrome is a very rare but potentially fatal condition. It mainly affects adolescents and young adult males, and usually arises as a serious complication of pharyngitis or peritonsillar abscess. It is characterised by the triad of internal jugular vein septic thrombophlebitis, septic emboli (mostly pulmonary) and the isolation of the agent 'Fusobacterium necrophorum' in sterile fluids. In this report, it is described a case in which the nonspecific and subtle clinic made the diagnosis difficult to reach. In fact, only the dissociation between flu-like symptoms and the presence of significant changes in the blood tests (suggestive of acute bacterial infection), led to the request for imaging tests, which proved to be essential for the final diagnosis and subsequent control of the disease. This case report aims to increase the awareness among Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) residents, paediatricians and family doctors about the existence of this entity and its potential life-threatening nature.

Prognostic factors in ankle sprains: a review.

Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, being the most frequent musculoskeletal trauma among athletes.Most of these injuries are successfully treated conservatively; however, up to 70% of patients can develop long-lasting symptoms. Therefore, understanding prognostic factors for an ankle sprain could help clinicians identify patients with poor prognosis and choose the right treatment.A suggested approach will be presented in order to positively identify the factors that should warrant a more aggressive attitude in the initial conservative treatment.There are some prognostic factors linked to a better recovery and outcome; nevertheless, prognostic factors for full recovery after initial ankle sprain are not consistent. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:334-338. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200019.

Nail Dystrophy due to Tuberculosis / Distrofia ungueal causada por tuberculosis

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Ungual Tuberculosis: A Unique Clinical Case.

Cutaneous manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) are rare, particularly from an exogenous source. Involvement of the nail apparatus is extremely rare and has only previously been reported as a secondary involvement. We report the case of a 76-year-old female patient referred to our department with onychodystrophy with purulent drainage of the first left finger, which had developed during the preceding year. She had no previous traumatic history and had received treatment with multiple cycles of oral antibiotics and antimycotics, with no clinical improvement. Physical examination showed paronychia and onychodystrophy of the entire nail plate. Biopsy evaluation revealed epithelioid granulomas with central foci of necrosis, and laboratory cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex. Chest computed tomography excluded primary pulmonary TB. X-ray of the left hand revealed the presence of dactylitis on the distal phalanx. Based on these findings, the patient was treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for 2 months and with rifampicin and isoniazid for 7 months, resulting in complete resolution of the lesions. Cutaneous TB is a diagnostic challenge, particularly in rare cases such as involvement of the nail apparatus. It should be considered as a diagnostic hypothesis in cases of painless paronychia with refractory purulent drainage and associated onychodystrophy.

Lingual Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access: Proof of Concept 18-Month Follow-Up.

INTRODUCTION: Gingival recession is a common manifestation in most populations. The mechanism by which gingival recession occurs is not well understood but it seems to be complex and multifactorial. The main etiological factors are the accumulation of dental plaque biofilm with the resulting inflammatory periodontal diseases and mechanical trauma due to faulty oral hygiene technique, especially in thin biotypes. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes the treatment of lingual recessions associated with bone loss, with a lingual incision subperiosteal tunnel access (LISTA) technique associated with a connective tissue graft. Nine months after the surgery, clinically significant root coverage and increased thickness of keratinized tissue were achieved; the patient was observed at 9, 12, and 18 months. CONCLUSION: The clinical results, although without 100% root coverage, satisfied the patient entirely. LISTA technique associated with a connective tissue graft is a promising alternative for minimally invasive treatment of multiple lingual gingival recessions.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated With Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma: A Rare Tumor of the Larynx.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx is a rare tumor, as this histological entity is mostly diagnosed in nasopharynx. However, it may be present in other non-nasopharyngeal sites and it is extremely rare in the larynx. The authors present a case of a 59-year-old man who presented to the Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department complaining of a long-standing dysphonia, odynophagia, and dysphagia. The clinical examination revealed a laryngeal tumor involving the right epiglottis, right aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral false vocal fold. It presented with ispilateral neck lymph node extension. Multiple biopsies of the laryngeal lesion were performed under local anesthesia and the histological examination showed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. After discussing the case in a multidisciplinary tumor board, a total laryngectomy with a bilateral neck dissection was performed and the histological specimen showed a lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Although immunostaining with LMP-1 antibody was negative, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus was positive. He underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. He is now at 9-months follow-up period, with no evidence of disease. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx is an extremely rare disease, with an aggressive pattern. Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoepithelial carcinoma has been exceptionally reported. A correct diagnosis and close collaboration with pathologist is crucial to achieve the best treatment strategy. We present this case to discuss the clinical and histology findings and the different therapeutic aspects of this uncommon histological subtype carcinoma.

The Social Platform: Profiling FHIR to Support Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The care networks of community-dwelling older adults require cooperation between different actors, including health and social caregivers, assistant providers, care receivers, and their informal caregivers (e.g. relatives or friends), across time, space, and organizational boundaries. In this context, the project Social Cooperation for Integrated Assisted Living (SOCIAL) aims at the development of a platform of services to support the care networks of community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, the study reported in this article assess the adequacy of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) to guarantee the interoperability of the relevant information related to the assisted persons of the SOCIAL platform, which are mainly older adults that need care and assistance services.

Foreign Body Aspiration in the Elderly.

Foreign body aspiration is common in children and in the elderly, who may present with subtle symptoms. Clinical suspicion is crucial and bronchoscopy is the main diagnostic and therapeutic procedure available. This is the case of a man, 78 years old, with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who presented with respiratory distress following oral intake of tablets. History taking and physical examination raised suspicion. The diagnosis was confirmed with flexible bronchoscopy and rigid bronchoscopy was carried out for treatment. The patient's condition is stable and he is under investigations for dysphagia.

A aspiração de corpo estranho é mais frequente em crianças e idosos, podendo ter uma apresentação subtil neste último grupo. A suspeição clínica é crucial, sendo a broncoscopia o principal meio de diagnóstico e tratamento disponível. Descreve-se o caso de um doente do sexo masculino, 78 anos, antecedentes de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica, com quadro de dificuldade respiratória após toma de comprimido, tendo sido levantada a suspeita de aspiração de corpo estranho através da anamnese e achados ao exame objectivo. O diagnóstico foi confirmado através de broncofibroscopia flexível e o tratamento através de broncoscopia rígida. Actualmente, encontra-se estável e com disfagia em estudo.