Malignant tumors of the hard palate: Report of 4 cases and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer of the hard palate is a fairly rare malignant tumor. Different histological types have been described in the hard palate, and that can affect its different structures. Diagnosis is based on biopsy with histological examination and possibly on immunohistochemical markers to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other diagnostic hypotheses. The aim of this study was to determine histopathologic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of malignant tumors of the hard palate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 4 patients who underwent Surgical resection by trans oral approach was performed for different histological types of malignant tumors of the hard palate. These included squamous cell carcinoma (case1 and case 2), mucosal melanoma (case 3), and adenocarcinoma (case 4). RESULTS: The T stage was analyzed for all cases. Two cases were classified as T2 stage with a tumor size between 2 and 4 cm and the two others, given the extension to the maxillary and nasal cavity were classified as T4a. Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in three patients. DISCUSSION: Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for malignant tumors of the hard palate. There is a variety of surgical procedures that can be used via a trans oral approach. Reconstruction of palatal defects with a prosthesis is sufficient, whereas larger defects will require a local, regional or even microvascular free tissue flap. The differences between these surgical techniques are presented, and indications are discussed. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic management for malignant tumors of the hard palate is essentially surgical, with or without postoperative radiotherapy, discussed on a case-by-case basis. Survival rate depends on several factors, including early diagnosis, histological characteristic and appropriate management.

Spindle cell hemangioma in the infratemporal fossa: A unique case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) is a rare vascular tumor which was first described in 1986. It affects mostly the distal extremities. The head and neck are rarely involved. This article reports the first case of SCH in the infratemporal fossa. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 41-year-old woman presented with an 8-month history of right cheek swelling. Facial CT scan and MRI showed an intensely and heterogeneously enhancing tumor of the infratemporal fossa suggesting an angiomatous neoplasm. The mass was excised surgically through an anterior maxillary approach. The histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a SCH. CONCLUSION: This case report presents a unique presentation of a Spindle cell hemangioma in an unexpected location of the head and neck region. it underlines the importance for clinicians and pathologists to consider the Spindle cell hemangioma as a possible etiological diagnosis of infratemporal fossa tumors.

Manipulation of powder characteristics by interactions at the solid-liquid interface: 1-sulphadiazine.

A solvent-treatment technique aiming at manipulating the properties of powdered materials is reported. Potentials of the technique were assessed using sulphadiazine (SD). A suspension of the drug in a preselected solvent (5% aqueous ammonia solution) was stirred under controlled conditions. The solvent was subsequently removed and the material dried. The effect of experimental variables such as stirring speed and time, powder/solvent ratio and inclusion of additives (Tween 80, sodium chloride and PVP) on the properties of solvent treated SD was assessed. Data obtained were compared with those for SD recrystallized under identical conditions. Solvent treatment of SD in the absence of additives resulted in a limited change in crystal morphology as indicated by SEM. This was associated with improved flowability and a limited reduction in dissolution rate relative to untreated SD. On the other hand, recrystallized SD exhibited superior flowability but a considerably low dissolution rate. Solvent treatment of SD in the presence of 2% PVP produced a microgranular directly compressible material.

Comparative effects of selected phenothiazine tranquilizers and antihistaminics on bacterial cells and possible interactions with antibiotics.

Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of phenothiazine antihistaminics (trimeprazine, promethazine, and fonazine) and phenothiazine tranquilizers (promazine, chlorpromazine, triflupromazine, and propiomazine) on Staphylococcus aureus showed that tranquilizers were more active [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.5-1.6 micrograms/mL] than antihistaminics (MIC greater than 1.6 micrograms/mL). The antibacterial activity was found to correlate with both the rate of adsorption of these drugs on the bacterial cells and the surface tension of their solutions. Phenothiazine tranquilizers caused rapid and extensive leakage of potassium ions from bacterial cells, while phenothiazine antihistaminics produced relatively slower leakage of these ions. A study of the effect of the phenothiazines on the antibacterial activity of some antibiotics showed that all phenothiazines produced a synergistic effect with erythromycin and an antagonistic effect with tobramycin. Variable effects were observed with chloramphenicol, and no effect was observed with penicillin. Results were explained on the basis of structural characteristics of the phenothiazines.

The application of solid dispersion technique in the preparation of therapeutic tablets. Part 1: Paracetamol, amylobarbitone, and caffeine tablets.

A trial was made to study the possibility of preparing high-quality therapeutic tablets by direct compression of the solidified drugcarrier melt via solid dispersion technique. Paracetamol-mannitol, amylobarbitone-urea and caffeine-nicotinamide systems were investigated. Phase diagrams of the first two systems were found to be of the simple eutectic type, while that of the third system was a peritectic type. Solubility studies were also carried out. Dissolution rate studies showed that the fused mannitol/paracetamol (80:20), urea/amylobarbitone (80:20) and nicotinamide/caffeine (50:50 and 70:30) solid dispersions exhibited better rates of dissolution than those of the pure drugs. Comparative studies were carried on with tablets prepared by direct compression of the drug-carrier solidified melt exhibiting the highest dissolution rate and by slugging the pure drug and the drug-carrier physical mixture of corresponding composition. The physical properties and dissolution rate data showed the superiority of the tablets prepared by the solid dispersion technique. The drug release from these tablets was 4.5, 7.6 and 3.7 times greater than that from tablets prepared from pure paracetamol, amylobarbitone and caffeine respectively.