Investigation of locoregional metastatic behavior in low-grade malignant tumors of the parotid gland.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate primary locoregional metastatic behavior in a large sample of low-grade malignant tumors of the parotid gland following surgical treatment consisting of complete parotidectomy and neck dissection. METHODS: The records of all patients treated for low-grade malignant tumors of the parotid gland by complete parotidectomy and neck dissection between 2007 and 2022 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: 94 patients formed our study sample (50 females, 44 males, female to male ratio: 1.14). The mean age was 59 years (range 15-95 years). The mean number of lymph nodes in the specimen from complete parotidectomy was 3.33 (range: 0-12). The mean number of involved lymph nodes in the parotid gland was 0.05 (range: 0-1). The mean number of lymph nodes in the specimen from the ipsilateral neck dissection was 16.2 (range 4-42). The mean number of involved lymph nodes in the neck dissection specimen was 0.09 (range: 0-2). Comparison of T1-T2 vs. T3-T4 cases revealed no statistically significant difference concerning the tumorous involvement of the lymphatic network (x2 = 0.719, p = 0.396). CONCLUSION: Low-grade primary malignant tumors of the parotid gland are characterized by an initially low metastatic potential, which justifies conservative forms of surgical treatment.

Pericoronitis: A clinical and epidemiological study in greek military recruits.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a statistical analysis of epidemiological, clinical and radiographical characteristics of third molar-related pericoronitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 650 conscripts of the First Training Division of Conscript Soldiers of 2005 in Greece were recruited for the study. Each conscript was given a questionnaire and underwent a clinical test and a radiographic examination. The tested variables included the conscripts' personal information, oral hygiene parameters along with the radiographic angulation of the third molar, the level of impaction and their classification in relation to the edge of the mandible. RESULTS: The prevalence of pericoronitis was found to be 4.92%. The group of patients between 20 and 25 years old dominated in a percentage of 72.41%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mouthwash along with the adequate frequency of teeth-brushing appeared to be related to a statistically significant decrease of the disease. Vertical impacted molars are more likely to present pericoronitis at a rate of 61.11%; plane A and the impacted teeth that are positioned to the front edge of the mandible according to class II, have a higher rate of prevalence. Finally, a brief literature review in comparison to our study is also presented. Key words:Third-molar-related pericoronitis, impacted wisdom teeth, prevalence, epidemiological study, Greece.

Thickness of the Schneiderian membrane and its correlation with anatomical structures and demographic parameters using CBCT tomography: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to determine the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane and identify the width of the maxillary sinus, which is indicated by the buccal and lingual walls of the sinus angle between. Furthermore, to investigate the possibility of a correlation between the aforementioned structures and also other anatomical and demographic parameters using CBCTs for dental implant surgical planning. METHODS: The study included CBCT images of 76 consecutive patients with field-of-view 15 × 12 or 12 × 8cm. Reformatted cross-sectional CBCT slices were analyzed with regard to the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane designated by the medial and the lateral walls of the sinus, in three different standardized points of reference. Age, gender, and position of the measurement were evaluated as factors that could influence the dimensions of the anatomical structures, using univariate and multivariate random effects regression model. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the Schneiderian membrane was 1.60 ± 1.20 mm. The average thickness revealed now differentiation by age (p = 0.878), whereas gender seemed to influence the mean thickness (p = 0.010). Also, the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane increased from medial to distal (p = 0.060). The mean value of the angle designated by buccal and lingual walls of the sinus was 73.41 ± 6.89 °. The angle measurements revealed no correlation with age, but a tendency towards lower mean angles in females (2.5 ° on average, p = 0.097). According to the anatomical position of the measurement, a differentiation was also detected. No correlation between thickness of the Schneiderian membrane and the angle of the walls of the sinus was concluded (p = 0.662). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane and the width of the maxillary sinus can only be affected by gender and anatomical position, but not by the age of the patient.