Properties of CA3 dendritic excrescences in Alzheimer's disease.

CA3 pyramidal neurons and hilar mossy neurons possess large and branched dendritic spines, named thorny excrescences. Studies on experimental animals have shown great morphologic adaptation of the excrescences and the whole dendritic tree of CA3 pyramidal neurons in changes of environmental conditions. However, the available data about the excrescences in human brain is short and insufficient about their properties in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, these dendritic structures were studied and compared in CA3 area of hippocampus in patients suffered from Alzheimer's disease, age matched controls and young individuals. Golgi impregnated material under light microscopy was used for the description of the structural characteristics of the excrescences. Morphometric estimation of their density on the apical and basilar dendritic tree and their average length revealed reduced density and significantly increased size in Alzheimer's disease patients. The mean density of the excrescences on the apical dendritic tree of the patients compared to age matched controls is reduced 32.8% (p<0.001), while the mean number of long excrescences (longer than 5microm) is increased 32.6% (p<0.05). On the basilar dendritic tree, the reduction in density is 26.3% (p<0.05) and the increase in the number of long excrescences is 23.3% (p>0.05). These enlarged thorny excrescences can be even longer than 10microm, appearing as "giant spines". The increased size of the excrescences is considered as a remodeling procedure (compensative mechanism) of the CA3 pyramidal neurons for the balancing of the reduction in the spinal density.

Oral complaints caused from metastases to the mandible and maxilla.

Jaw bone disorders causing oral complaints are common in primary care settings. Most of these conditions are of a chronic and benign nature. However they also may be the symptoms of a primary or secondary malignant process in the bone. The most common malignant bone tumor is metastatic carcinoma, and tumors arising in the breast, prostate, thyroid, lung and kidney have a special propensity to spread to bone. Yet metastases to the bones are rare; less than one per cent of all neoplasms metastases to the maxillofacial area. We describe four cases of metastatic tumours to the jaws. Two cases originated from the thyroid gland while the rest were from the oesophagus and the liver respectively. Three lesions occurred in the mandible and one in the maxilla. Patients presented with oral discomforts disregarding the primary tumor. Physicians who frequently advise patients with oral complaints should keep in mind that whereas these symptoms are mostly of a chronic and benign nature, metastases from a malignant tumor must be included in the differential diagnosis.

Clinical, radiological and histological correlation in the diagnostic work-up of cemento-ossifying fibroma of the maxilla: case report.

Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a relatively rare tumor classified between fibro-osseous lesions. This lesion appears within the bone although in some occasions it involves the gingivae soft tissues. It is a slow growing and well-defined tumorous lesion, because of this, it is considered as a benign lesion. We report a case of a young female presenting a mass in the right cheek. The evolution of the process was 4 years. She was treated with surgical resection via a Weber-Fergusson approach. The histology was that of a benign fibro-osseous proliferation composed of bony spicules and spherules admixed with a fibrous stroma. Clinical and radiological information was essential for the final diagnosis. The histologic findings alone may be similar to other pathologies such as osteoblastoma, low-grade osteosarcoma and particularly to fibrous dysplasia. An accurate diagnosis requires careful clinical, radiological and histological correlation in order to make an optimal treatment and an excellent outcome.

Branchial cysts. A report of 4 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Cysts presented in the lateral aspect of the neck are relatively uncommon anomalies. Many theories have been proposed to explain the aetiology of these cysts, grouped in two main categories: the congenital and the cervical lymph nodes cystic transformation hypotheses. SETTINGS: In this paper we present 4 patient-cases documented in the department of Maxillofacial Surgery, and try to trace the profile of these lesions and investigate their origin. RESULTS: All lesions were well circumscribed by Computed Tomography, and prior to surgery they were assessed by means of fine needle aspiration cytology. Neutrophils, debris and mature squamous epithelial cells including degenerate forms, were the key-features in the cytological diagnosis. Histologic examination of the excised surgical specimen established the diagnosis in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, compatible with the congenital theory lead us to the conclusion that the branchial cysts are the result of imperfect obliteration of the branchial clefts, arches, and pouches.

[Oral manifestations of hemopathies. 2. Stomatological aspects of diseases involving leukocytes]. / Manifestazioni orali delle emopatie. Nota 2. Quadri stomatologici delle malattie delle serie bianca.

The stomatological symptomatology of the commonest diseases affecting the white cells, particularly agranulocytosis and leukaemia, is described. On the question of leukaemia, it is emphasized that, thanks to the new antileukaemic treatments, the stomatological picture of the primary disease may be changed and new stomatological lesions caused by the treatment may occur. These may present in isolation or on top of primary disease lesions.