Identifying and acting on potentially inappropriate care? Inadequacy of current hospital coding for this task.

INTRODUCTION: Recent Australian attempts to facilitate disinvestment in healthcare, by identifying instances of 'inappropriate' care from large Government datasets, are subject to significant methodological flaws. Amongst other criticisms has been the fact that the Government datasets utilized for this purpose correlate poorly with datasets collected by relevant professional bodies. Government data derive from official hospital coding, collected retrospectively by clerical personnel, whilst professional body data derive from unit-specific databases, collected contemporaneously with care by clinical personnel. AIM: Assessment of accuracy of official hospital coding data for hyperbaric services in a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: All official hyperbaric-relevant coding data submitted to the relevant Australian Government agencies by the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia for financial year 2010-2011 were reviewed and compared against actual hyperbaric unit activity as determined by reference to original source documents. RESULTS: Hospital coding data contained one or more errors in diagnoses and/or procedures in 70% of patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen that year. Multiple discrete error types were identified, including (but not limited to): missing patients; missing treatments; 'additional' treatments; 'additional' patients; incorrect procedure codes and incorrect diagnostic codes. Incidental observations of errors in surgical, anaesthetic and intensive care coding within this cohort suggest that the problems are not restricted to the specialty of hyperbaric medicine alone. Publications from other centres indicate that these problems are not unique to this institution or State. CONCLUSIONS: Current Government datasets are irretrievably compromised and not fit for purpose. Attempting to inform the healthcare policy debate by reference to these datasets is inappropriate. Urgent clinical engagement with hospital coding departments is warranted.

Prevalence profile of odontogenic cysts and tumors on Brazilian sample after the reclassification of odontogenic keratocyst.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the reclassification of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) as a tumor on the prevalence profile of odontogenic cysts (OCs) and odontogenic tumors (OTs). STUDY DESIGN: Two referral Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology services in Brazil were evaluated. All cases diagnosed as OCs or OTs were selected and classified according to the 1992 WHO-classification (cases before 2005 WHO classification of tumors excluding OKC) and the 2005 WHO classification of tumors, going forward including cases of odontogenic keratocyst tumor (KCOT). The frequency and prevalence of OCs and OTs were compared before and after the reclassification. RESULTS: Among 27,854 oral biopsies, 4920 (17.66%) were OCs and 992 (3.56%) were OTs. The prevalence of OTs before 2005 WHO classification of tumors was 2.04%, while the prevalence after 2005 WHO classification was 11.51% (p < 0.0001). Before 2006, the most frequent tumor diagnosed was odontoma with 194 cases (39.67%), and after 2005 WHO classification of tumors the KCOT was the most frequent with 207 cases (41.07%). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the prevalence of OTs after 2005 WHO is related to the improvement of pathology services and to the inclusion of KCOT in the OTs group.

Prevalence and pattern of torus palatinus and torus mandibularis among edentulous patients of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The most remarkable exostoses of the human jaws are torus palatinus (TP) and torus mandibularis (TM). The aim of the present study was to actuate the prevalence of TP and TM in relation to age and sex among the edentulous patients of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The present study included 847 edentulous subjects (458 men and 389 women) aged between 51 and 79 years. The subjects were examined for the existence of tori by clinical inspection and palpation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version. RESULTS: Among the 847 subjects, 149 (17.59%) had either TP or TM. Sixty six (7.79%) subjects had TP, whereas 83 (9.80%) had TM. The maximum percentage (36.36%) of tori was observed in the age-group of 60-69 years. The percentage of males with either tori was higher (19.0%) when compared to females (15.94%). According to shape, the occurrence of flat-shaped TP (57.58%) and bilateral solitary TM (39.76%) was more common. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in the presence of tori with respect to sex and age was observed. A comparatively increased prevalence of TP and TM was however observed, and this should be taken into consideration while planning for prosthodontic and periodontal therapy in these patients.

Efficacy of core needle biopsy technique for jawbone diseases

La biopsia-punción ósea ( Core needle biopsy, CNB) es un procedimiento de probada utilidad en el diagnóstico delesiones óseas. Sin embargo, no es una técnica de uso frecuente en las lesiones de los maxilares. La finalidad de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia del método de CNB en una serie de casosde lesiones intramaxilares. Se realizaron CNB en 85 pacientes con lesiones intraóseas, las cuales fueron agrupadas según su aspecto radiográfico en lesiones radiopacas ( RO, n=13), lesiones radiolucidas (RL,n=39) y lesiones mixtas con sectores radiolúcidos y radiopacos (RL-RO, n=33). La técnica permitió obtener varios cilindros de tejido de cada lesión ( promedio: 2.5 cilindros) los cualesfueron procesados según técnica histopatológica de rutina con tinción de H&E y técnicas especiales en los casos en que fueron necesarias. El análisis de los cuadros histopatológicos conjuntamente con los datos clínicos, permitió realizar un un diagnóstico de certeza (AD) en el 81por ciento de los casos y un diagnostico descriptivo (DD) en el 14 por ciento. En el 5 por ciento de los casos el material obtenido no fue adecuado para su estudio (ND) Ladiferencia entre los casos de CNB exitosa y no exitosa (DD+ND) es estadisticamente significativa. El mayor porcentaje de CBN exitosas correspondió a las lesiones RO y RL-RO (85 por ciento y 100 por ciento respectivamente) Las lesiones RL presentaron mayor dificultad debido a que, en su mayoría, eran lesiones quísticas con contenido líquido...

Fibroma osificante: presentación de un caso clínico en mandíbula y revisión de la literatura / Ossifying fibroma: presentation of a clinical case in the jaw and review of the literature

El fibroma osificante es un tumor benigno casi idéntico al fibroma cementificante. Se inscribe dentro de las llamadas lesiones fibroóseas, como la displasia fibrosa y la displasia cemento-osificante, que se caracterizan por el reemplazo de la arquitectura ósea normal por fibroblastos, tejido fibroso y cantidades variables de tejido mineralizado. Debido a sus características clínicas, radiológicas e histológicas, la clasificación de estas lesiones ha sido muy controversial. Presentamos un caso clínico en mandíbula, detalladno su diagnóstico y tratamiento y una revisión de la literatura...

Palatal reconstruction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The palate is a critical structure, playing pivotal roles in speech, swallowing, and mastication. Reconstruction of the palate is among the most difficult challenges faced by head and neck reconstructive surgeons. The primary aims of this review are to catalog the evolution of the classification systems for palatal defects, discuss decision making surrounding the various options for hard palate reconstruction, and address the special challenges and techniques involved in soft palate reconstruction. RECENT FINDINGS: The Okay Classification System has become the standard by which most hard palatal defects are assessed. Free tissue transfer seems to be becoming an increasingly important therapeutic modality for many hard and soft palate defects. SUMMARY: Success in the management of palatal defects depends on accurate appreciation of the size and functional extent of each defect, careful patient selection, and specific attention to each patient's goals.

Pentoxifylline and tocopherol in the management of patients with osteoradionecrosis, the Portsmouth experience.

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw remains the most problematic consequence of radiotherapy for the management of head and neck cancer. Treatment is often complex and multimodal. New theories on its pathophysiology have allowed the development of potential treatment modalities, including the use of pentoxifylline and tocopherol. In this retrospective case series we examined the outcomes of patients with ORN prescribed pentoxifylline and tocopherol.

Giant cell lesions of the jaws: does the level of vascularity and angiogenesis correlate with behavior?

PURPOSE: To compare vascularity and angiogenic activity in aggressive and nonaggressive giant cell lesions (GCLs) of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 14 GCLs treated at the University of California, San Francisco. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), CD34, and CD31. VEGF and bFGF expression in giant cells (GCs) and surrounding mononuclear stroma was classified into 1) high immunoreactivity (>50% staining) and 2) low immunoreactivity (<50% staining). CD31- and CD34-stained vessels were counted at 200× magnification. Clinical and radiographic records were reviewed to classify lesions as aggressive or nonaggressive. RESULTS: Of the lesions, 8 were aggressive and 6 were nonaggressive. High VEGF expression was found within the GCs in 4 of 8 aggressive lesions compared with 1 of 6 nonaggressive lesions. The stroma in both groups had low staining. High staining of the GCs for bFGF was found in 6 of 8 aggressive lesions compared with 3 of 6 nonaggressive lesions. The stroma of all aggressive cases showed high expression of bFGF compared with 3 of 6 nonaggressive cases. The aggressive group had a mean of 20.1 ± 5.4 vessels/high-powered field (hpf) stained for CD31 compared with 11.5 ± 5.6 vessels/hpf in the nonaggressive group. The aggressive group had 24.6 ± 7.0 vessels/hpf stained with CD34 compared with 18.5 ± 4.0 vessels/hpf in the nonaggressive group. CONCLUSIONS: The vascularity and level of angiogenesis within aggressive GCLs are higher than those in nonaggressive lesions.

Bisphosphonates and oral health: primer and an update for the practicing surgeon.

Oral and intravenous bisphosphonates have been in clinical use for two decades for the treatment of patients with malignancy, osteoporosis, and other diseases affecting bone metabolism. The purpose of this article is to review the features of these drugs, their effect on the diseases they treat, the oral findings associated with their use, and the assessment of osteonecrosis incidence, pathophysiology, with some insights into treatment.

The odontogenic keratocyst: a cyst, or a cystic neoplasm?

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC, currently designated by the World Health Organization as a keratocystic odontogenic tumor) is a locally aggressive, cystic jaw lesion with a putative high growth potential and a propensity for recurrence. Although it is generally agreed that some features of OKCs are those of a neoplasia, notably the relatively high proliferative rate of epithelial cells, controversies over the behavior and management of OKCs still exist. This article is intended to review this intriguing entity and to summarize the findings of recent studies related to the nature of OKCs and their clinical and therapeutic implications. Recent advances in genetic and molecular research, i.e., PTCH1 mutations and involvement of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, have led to increased knowledge of OKC pathogenesis which hints at potential new treatment options, although the question of whether the OKC is a cyst or a cystic neoplasm is yet to be answered with certainty. Since some advocate a more conservative treatment for OKCs, notably marsupialization and decompression, future treatment strategies may focus on molecular approaches and eventually reduce or eliminate the need for aggressive surgeries.

Ambiguity in bone tissue characteristics as presented in studies on dental implant planning and placement: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To survey definitions of bone tissue characteristics and methods of assessing them in studies of dental implant planning and placement. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Three databases were searched using specified indexing terms. Three reviewers selected from the titles and retrieved abstracts in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptions of bone tissue characteristics (bone quality, density and quantity) used before or during dental implant placement were searched for and categorized. RESULTS: The search yielded 488 titles. One hundred and fort-nine publications were selected and read in full text. One hundred and eight were considered relevant. There were many different definitions and classification systems for bone tissue characteristics and examination protocols. Approximately two-third of the included publications reported the Lekholm & Zarb classification system for bone quality and quantity. However, only four studies implemented the Lekholm & Zarb system as originally proposed. A few publications described bone quality in accordance with the Misch or Trisi and Rao classifications systems. Assessment methods were often described only briefly (or not at all in one-fifth of the publications). Only one study presented the diagnostic accuracy of the assessment method, while only two presented observer performance. CONCLUSION: The differing definitions and classification systems applied to dental implant planning and placement make it impossible to compare the results of various studies, particularly with respect to whether bone quality or quantity affect treatment outcomes. A consistent classification system for bone tissue characteristics is needed, as well as an appropriate description of bone tissue assessment methods, their diagnostic accuracy and observer performance.

Fluorescence-guided bone resection in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: first clinical results of a prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: Surgical debridement is the therapy of choice in advanced stages of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, the therapy is currently only loosely standardized because no suitable imaging modalities exist. This study aims to redress this by exploring the suitability and reproducibility of applying a fluorescence-guided bone resection to patients with BRONJ. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective pilot study comprised 15 patients with 20 BRONJ lesions (only stages II and III) with a history of intravenous bisphosphonate treatment for metastatic bone diseases. Before surgical treatment, each patient received a 10-day administration of doxycycline. Fluorescence-guided resection of necrotic bone was performed by means of a certified fluorescence lamp. Success of the procedure was proclaimed if mucosal closure was observed and symptoms were absent 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The 4-week postoperative follow-up identified a mucosal closure in 17 of 20 BRONJ lesions (85%). These patients were free of any symptoms. Failure as defined by mucosal dehiscence and exposed bone was observed in 3 of 20 BRONJ lesions (15%). CONCLUSION: The success rate of this surgical regimen of BRONJ was respectable, and thus fluorescence-guided bone resection can be considered an effective treatment for stage II and stage III BRONJ. Furthermore, the reproducibility of the technique offers an opportunity to standardize the surgical therapy. Further studies are called for that compare the fluorescence-guided bone resection with conventional surgical approaches, as well as surgical versus conservative treatment in the early stages (stages 0 and I) of BRONJ.

Fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws: an analysis of 122 cases in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: There are no previously published reports on fibro-osseous jaw lesions in Thailand. The aims of this study were to determine the relative frequencies and the clinicopathologic features of these lesions in Thailand, and to compare these data with information available in the literature. METHODS: A total of 122 cases of fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws, out of a total of 4808 biopsy specimens, were collected from the files of the Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, during a 34-year period from 1973 to 2006. Clinical data and histopathologic diagnoses were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The most common was ossifying fibroma (50.8%), followed by fibrous dysplasia (42.6%). Ossifying fibroma most frequently occurred in the third and fourth decades of life (61.3%) and mostly involved the posterior region of the mandible (41.9%). Fibrous dysplasia was mostly seen in the second decade of life (40.4%). The maxilla was involved far more often than the mandible (53.8% and 6.2%, respectively), most common in the posterior region of the maxilla (28.8%). Both lesions presented as painless swellings (62.9% and 90.4%, respectively). Radiographically, ossifying fibroma mostly was mixed radiolucent-radiopacity (45.2%). Fibrous dysplasia mostly appeared as a radiopaque lesion (34.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The relative frequency of osseous dysplasia is underestimated because most lesions are not treated and the patients are kept under long-term follow-up without biopsy. The clinicopathologic features of ossifying fibroma and fibrous dysplasia in Thailand are identical to those in the literature.

Resolution of oral bisphosphonate and steroid-related osteonecrosis of the jaw--a serial case analysis.

PURPOSE: To offer recommendations of risk factors, prevention, and treatment of oral bisphosphonate and steroid-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BSRONJ) in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients were clinicopathologically proved to have bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). All of the patients were taking oral bisphosphonates and were concurrently administered long-term steroids. Of the 12 patients, 3 patients were assigned to the first stage of BRONJ; 5 patients were assigned to the second stage, and 4 patients were assigned to the third stage. The patients' symptoms, localization of necrosis, presence of a fistula, and association with possible triggering factors for onset of the lesion were recorded. RESULTS: The radiologic investigations revealed osteolytic areas and scintigraphy demonstrated increased bone metabolism. Microbiologic analysis showed pathogenic actinomycosis organisms in a majority of patients (91.6%). Antibiotic therapy, minor debridement surgery, and combined hyperbaric oxygen therapy were useful in obtaining short-term symptomatic relief. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities of steroid use along with bisphosphonates may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw to occur sooner, be more severe, and respond more slowly to a drug discontinuation. The clinical disease of BSRONJ is more severe and more unpredictable to treat than BRONJ. From the data gained from other published studies of BRONJ and our clinical experience with the series of cases of BSRONJ, we offer recommendations of risk factors, prevention, and treatment of BSRONJ in southern Taiwan.

Osteonecrosis maxilar postextracción dentaria en pacientes bajo tratamiento con bifosfonatos: presentación de 2 casos clínicos / Postextraction jaw osteonecrosis in patients undergoing biphosphonate treatment: report of 2 clinical cases

Los bisfosfonatos son usados en el tratamiento de pacientes donde es necesario disminuir la reabsorción ósea, principalmente osteoporosis, mieloma múltiple y en metástasis óseas de tumores sólidos, como cáncer de pulmón, mama y próstata. Pero con el advenimiento de los de alto poder, como el zoledronato, pamidronato, administrados por vía endovenosa, aparecen las complicaciones secundarias. En el año 2003 se publicó el primer caso de osteonecrosis de los huesos maxilares (ONM). Desde entonces, se reportaron numerosos casos de pacientes con ONM, que habían recibido tratamientos con bifosfonatos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar dos casos clínicos de pacientes medicados con BF que presentaron ONM posterior a una extracción dental.

Bifosfonates are used in the patients’s treatment where it is necessary to diminish the bony reabsorption, mainly osteoporosis, multiple myeloma and in bone metastasis of solid tumors as lung, breast and prostate cancer. However secondary complications appear withthe incoming of zoledronate and pamidronate, of high power, administered by intravenous way. In 2003 it was published the first case of osteonecrosis of maxillary bones (ONM). Since then there were reported numerous cases of patients with ONM that had received treatments with bifosfonates. The aim of this work was to present two clinical cases of patients treated with BF that showed ONM posterior to a dental extraction.

Osteonecrosis maxilar postextracción dentaria en pacientes bajo tratamiento con bifosfonatos: presentación de 2 casos clínicos / Postextraction jaw osteonecrosis in patients undergoing biphosphonate treatment: report of 2 clinical cases

Los bisfosfonatos son usados en el tratamiento de pacientes donde es necesario disminuir la reabsorción ósea, principalmente osteoporosis, mieloma múltiple y en metástasis óseas de tumores sólidos, como cáncer de pulmón, mama y próstata. Pero con el advenimiento de los de alto poder, como el zoledronato, pamidronato, administrados por vía endovenosa, aparecen las complicaciones secundarias. En el año 2003 se publicó el primer caso de osteonecrosis de los huesos maxilares (ONM). Desde entonces, se reportaron numerosos casos de pacientes con ONM, que habían recibido tratamientos con bifosfonatos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar dos casos clínicos de pacientes medicados con BF que presentaron ONM posterior a una extracción dental.(AU)

Bifosfonates are used in the patientss treatment where it is necessary to diminish the bony reabsorption, mainly osteoporosis, multiple myeloma and in bone metastasis of solid tumors as lung, breast and prostate cancer. However secondary complications appear withthe incoming of zoledronate and pamidronate, of high power, administered by intravenous way. In 2003 it was published the first case of osteonecrosis of maxillary bones (ONM). Since then there were reported numerous cases of patients with ONM that had received treatments with bifosfonates. The aim of this work was to present two clinical cases of patients treated with BF that showed ONM posterior to a dental extraction.(AU)