A rare case of sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in minor salivary glands with immunohistochemical evaluation.

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) are the most common malignancy of the salivary glands demonstrating a wide range of histologic variants and behavior. However, the sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma (SMEC), a morphologic variant of this tumor is extremely rare and has been described almost exclusively in the major glands. The prominent sclerosis observed may obscure its typical morphological feature resulting in a diagnostic challenge. We describe herein a case of SMEC in a 43-year-old-woman, occurring in the minor salivary glands of palate. To our knowledge only 13 cases have been reported until this moment, being only 2 in minor salivary glands. We also performed the immunohistochemical evaluation of c-erbB-2 and Ki-67, searching for an association with the histopathological findings and behavior.

Immunohistochemical study of GLUT-1 in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

AIM: To investigate the immunoexpression and diagnostic applicability of human erythrocyte-type glucose transporter protein (GLUT-1) in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens diagnosed as oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors archived in the Oral Pathology Service of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1966 to 2006 were evaluated. Thirty-four lesions were included: 15 traumatic neuromas, 11 neurofibromas, four neurilemmomas, and four malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). One case of neurofibroma was associated with neurofibromatosis type I. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 and GLUT-1 was performed. S-100 was immunopositive in all lesions. RESULTS: Benign lesions were immunopositive for GLUT-1 except in two (18.2%) cases of neurofibromas. In the traumatic neuroma, the perineuriums were immunopositive for GLUT-1. In the neurofibroma, the immunoreactivity was heterogeneous. Immunopositivity was observed at levels of 54.5% in the periphery of the lesion, 9.1% in the center, and 18.2% in both. The neurilemmoma demonstrated immunopositivity in the capsule. One case (25%) of MPNST presented GLUT-1 positive stain in occasional cells distributed homogeneously in all the tumor area. CONCLUSION: GLUT-1 is a useful marker for perineurial cells and should be included in the oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors immunophenotyping thus aiding in the correct diagnosis of these lesions.

Oral candidiasis treatment with Brazilian ethanol propolis extract.

The Brazilian commercial ethanol propolis extract, also formulated to ensure physical and chemical stability, was found to inhibit oral candidiasis in 12 denture-bearing patients with prosthesis stomatitis candidiasis association.

Apoptosis in epithelial cells of apical radicular cysts.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of apoptotic cell death in the epithelium of radicular cysts and to compare its frequency in lesions presenting a distinct functional state. METHODOLOGY: Twenty radicular cysts were selected and arranged into two groups with 10 lesions in each group: atrophic (quiescent) and hyperplastic (active) epithelium. Morphologic investigations of apoptosis were conducted by means of optic microscopy in haematoxylin and eosin slides. Immunohistochemical techniques to detect the bcl-2 protein were carried out by streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase assay. In both instances, 30 sequential high-power microscopic fields were observed to determine apoptotic (AI) and bcl-2 immunostaining (bcl-2I) indexes. The presence of AI and bcl-2I within the two groups was compared using the t-test. Correlation between the AI and the bcl-2I was investigated using the Spearman test. RESULTS: Apoptosis was detected in the epithelium of all cysts. Higher AI levels were found in lesions with an atrophic (0.17 +/- 0.19) rather than a hyperplastic (0.10 +/- 0.10) epithelium. The same was found for the bcl-2I levels (0.06 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.01, respectively). However, these differences were not statistically significant. A positive and significant correlation was found between AI and bcl-2I. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis was always present in the epithelium of the lesions and was more frequent in lesions with atrophic (quiescent) epithelium.

Prevalence of oral mucosal alterations in children from 0 to 12 years old.

BACKGROUND: As the exact prevalence of oral alterations in children is still not known and the findings are controversial, other studies about this subject are necessary. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1211 Brazilian children divided in two age groups: 0-4 and 5-12 years. The patients were economically classified and data of medical history were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: The frequency of children presenting alterations was 27.0%, and it was higher in older children. The most common lesions were geographic tongue, cheek biting, and melanotic macule. Candidiasis was associated with antibiotic therapy and use of pacifiers. Fissured tongue was associated with congenital anomalies, allergy; age from 5 to 12 years. There was a lack of association of patient's economic status and prevalence of oral mucosal alterations. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of mucosal alterations in children is high and increases with age, and some of them are associated with habits and medical history of the patients.