Reconstruction of Moderately and Severely Atrophic Scalp-A Multicentric Experience in Surgical Treatment of Patients Irradiated for Tinea Capitis in Childhood and Surgical Algorithm.

Background and Objectives: Before the introduction of griseofluvin, the use of X-ray radiation was the treatment of choice for tinea capitis. More than half a century later various types of tumors have been found to be associated with childhood irradiation due to tinea capitis, most commonly cancers of the head and neck, as well as brain tumors. The often unusually aggressive and recurrent nature of these tumors necessitates the need for repeated surgeries, while the atrophic skin with an impaired vascular supply due to radiation often poses an additional challenge for defect reconstruction. We present our experience in the surgical treatment of such patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. In this study, 37 patients treated for acquired defects of the scalp with a history of irradiation therapy due to tinea capitis in childhood were included in this study, 24 male and 13 female patients. The mean age at the first appointment was 60.6 ± 7.8, with the youngest included patient being 46 and the oldest being 75 years old. Patients' characteristics, surgical treatment, and complications were analyzed and a reconstructive algorithm was developed. Results: Local flaps were used for reconstruction in 34 patients, direct sutures were used in 10 patients and 20 patients received split-thickness skin grafts for coverage of both primary and secondary defects for reconstruction of flap donor sites. One regional flap and one dermal substitute covered by an autologous skin graft were also used for reconstruction. Complications occurred in 43.2% of patients and were significantly associated with the presence of comorbidities (p = 0.001), aseptic bone necrosis (p = 0.001), as well as skin atrophy in frontal, occipital, and parietal region (p = 0.001, p = 0.042 and p = 0.001, respectively). A significant correlation between major complications and moderate skin atrophy was found only in the parietal region (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Unfortunately, many protocols developed for scalp reconstruction are not applicable in the setting of severe or diffuse scalp skin atrophy associated with high tumor recurrence rate and radiation-induced vascular impairment, such as in tinea capitis patients in Serbia. An algorithm has been developed based on the authors' experience in managing these patients.

Quantification of mast cells in different stages of periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Mast cells are mononuclear cells originating from bone marrow. They produce various biologically active substances, which allow them to actively participate in immune and inflammatory processes associated with periodontal disease. The study focused on distribution and density of mast cells in healthy gingiva as well as in different stages of periodontal disease. METHODS: The material used for this purpose was gingival biopsies taken from 96 patients classified into 4 groups: healthy gingiva, gingivitis, initial and severe periodontal disease. Toluidine blue staining according to Spicer was utilized for identifying mast cells. RESULTS: Basing on our study, the density of mast cells in the gingival tissue increases with the progression of the infection, which means they are more numerous in gingivitis compared to healthy gingiva, as well as in periodontal disease compared to gingivitis. CONCLUSION: Increase in the number of mast cells in the infected gingiva can be correlated with an increased influx of inflammatory cells from blood circulation into the gingival stroma, as well as with the collagen lysis, since these cells produce substances with collagenolytic potential. Based on the distribution of mast cells, it could be concluded that in the evolution of periodontal disease there are significant dynamic alterations in migration and localization of these cells.

Lip, oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade in the period 1999-2010.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cancers of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx (LOCP) are frequently grouped together mainly because they have similar risk factors. The incidence rate of these cancers varies worldwide depending on the geographic location. The aim of this study was to determine trends in age-standardized incidence rates of LOCP cancers in the Belgrade population during a 12-year period, from 1999 to 2010. METHODS: From The Serbian Cancer Registry (The Registry), we extracted all cases of LOCP cancers registered in Belgrade from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2010. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to define trends and annual percentage change (APC). RESULTS: A total number of 2,025 (1,509 in men and 516 in women) LOCP cancers were reported to the Registry during the study period. The age standardized rate (ASR) for the entire period and for all LOCP cancers, was 6.24 per 100,000 persons (10.35 for men and 2.86 for women). ASR for lip cancers decreased (p < 0.001) during the study period with APC of -8.4%. The ASR for oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results show a significantly decreasing trend of the incidence rate for lip cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade between 1999 and 2010. On the contrary, the incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers increased for both men and women.

Submerged flapless technique vs. conventional flap approach for implant placement: experimental domestic pig study with 12-month follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to compare osseointegration and peri-implant crestal bone resorption in submerged flapless and conventional flap surgery over a 12-month follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used five domestic pigs. Implants were inserted 9 weeks after tooth extraction. Each animal received six implants in the mandible, following a split-mouth design: one side was treated using a flapless technique using mini-incisions, while a flap was raised on the other. The animals were sacrificed at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after implant placement. Radiographic images were taken to analyze crestal bone loss, and samples were extracted for histopathological and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) analyses. RESULTS: Significantly, greater crestal bone loss (P = 0.005) was obtained in the flap group compared with the flapless group. The flapless group presented significantly higher percentages of BIC (P < 0.05) at 3, 6 and 12 months compared with the conventional flap group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this experimental animal study, it may be concluded that the type of surgery (flap or flapless) affects peri-implant bone preservation and osseointegration of regular platform implants. Flapless surgery is associated with peri-implant crestal bone preservation. Flapless surgery in combination with submerged implants allows higher osseointegration values.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in the Population of the City of Belgrade in the Period 1999-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Nonmelanoma skin cancers in the literature are mainly related to basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the trend in the incidence of histological types of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade from 1999 to 2011. METHODS: From the Serbian National Cancer Registry we extracted all recorded cases of skin cancer in Belgrade from January 1st 1999 to December 31st 2011. Incidence rates were standardized by the method of direct standardization with the world population as the standard population. Trends and annual percentage change (APC) of incidence rate were calculated by performing joinpoint regression analyses. RESULTS: Incidence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer showed significantly increasing trend between 1999 and 2006 with APC of 8.6% (95% Cl: 5.6-11.7), basal cell carcinoma increased with APC of 8.4% (95% Cl: 5.2-11.6) and squamous cell skin carcinoma with APC of 9.33% (95% Cl: 5.7-13.1). The incidence increased with age for both men and women, especially after the age of 60. CONCLUSION: Our results showed a continuously increasing incidence trend of both basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinomas in the population of the city of Belgrade between 1999 and 2011. Adequate primary and secondary prevention would certainly be successful in reducing this type of cancer in the future.

[Macroglossia and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: In 1963 Beckwith presented a report on the first patient with extreme cytomegaly of adrenal cortex, hyperplasia of kidneys and pancreas and Leydig cell hyperplasia. Wiedemann completed description of the new syndrome by adding umbilical hernia and macroglossia. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical signs of omphalocele or some other umbilical deformity, macroglossia, congenital asymmetry, visceromegaly (liver, pancreas, and kidneys). CASE OUTLINE: A 16-month-old male child was admitted for examination because of macroglossia. He underwent examination on several occasions by an endocrinologist due to recurrent hypoglycaemic crisis. The patient was observed by a paediatric neurophysicatrist for disorders of mental development. Hypoglycaemia, muscular hypotonia of the anterior abdominal wall with umbilical hernia and macroglossia were observed by clinical examination. Inratraoral examination revealed macroglossia with microstomia, suckling and swallowing difficulties, hypotonia of the perioral muscles with increased salivation. It was therefore decided to perform surgical reduction of the prominent tongue and develop good condition for nutrition, speech function and the development of orofacial system. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of macroglossia is based on subjective clinical criteria such as the morphology and amount of protrusion of the tongue, difficulty in articulating sounds, breathing, and hypersalivation. Some authors have suggested that the tongue size may be analyzed radiographically with a cephalogram. Treatment of macroglossia is controversial because of the absence of objective clinical criteria.

Age-related cataract and serum albumin concentration.

PURPOSE: Searching for new factors which might be important in age-related cataractogenesis. A possible association between serum albumin concentration and age-related cataract has already been recognized, but their relationship is not quite apparent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cross-section study on 157 age-related cataract patients and 55 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Blood for analyses was taken under the same conditions in all individuals. Serum albumin concentration was measured by a colorimetric method. Findings were interpreted according to their age, and in cataract patients, related to the main opacities found. Statistical data were obtained by t-test, Spearman's rank coefficient correlation, and ANOVA. RESULTS: A significant difference between measured serum albumin in the cataract and control group has not been found. In cataract patients, serum albumin concentration was significantly negatively associated with their age (65 and onward, compared to younger cataract patients) (p = 0.007). In comparison with the nuclear form of lens opacity, patients with mixed opacity had significantly lower serum albumin (p = 0.041). The patients' gender and secondary age-related diseases did not significantly alter serum albumin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related cataract is a slowly progressive disease, and its appearance probably reflects the cumulative action of numerous causative factors over decades of life. Serum albumin concentration seems to be important in cataract development in some age-related cataract patients.