Aggressive external root resorption of the entire dentition accompanied by osteolysis: a case report.

A healthy Caucasian male lost all of his teeth because of aggressive cervical, apical, and lateral root resorption over a period of 11 years. Microscopically, there was no sign of reparative cementum apposition, but cell-rich fibrous connective tissue filling the deep resorptions was seen. The resorbed teeth were surrounded by fibro-osseous tissue of osteolytic appearance, as noted during radiologic examination. Radiography showed the osteolytic processes to regress dramatically with the removal or loss of teeth. No underlying systemic or local factor was identified. In spite of endodontic and surgical treatment, none of the resorptions went into remission.

A study of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and COX-2 in early stage (T1-T2) oral squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Histomorphological grading at the invasive front of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) may provide useful prognostic information. In the present study, we investigated the presence and prognostic value of activated phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) both at the invasive front and in central/superficial parts of OSCCs. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we assessed the presence of p-ERK1/2 and COX-2 in 53 early stage OSCCs. Clinical data were recorded prospectively. The end point was disease-free survival. RESULTS: p-ERK1/2 staining was present in almost all tumours. The staining was mostly nuclear in the cells of the invasive front and either nuclear or nuclear/cytoplasmic in central/superficial tumour parts. COX-2 was observed in almost all tumours (98%) and the staining was often restricted to focal areas. Most tumours were COX-2 negative at the invasive front. The lowest P-value in survival analyses was P = 0.06 for p-ERK1/2 at the invasive front. COX-2, the histomorphological grading systems and TNM stage were of no prognostic value. CONCLUSION: p-ERK1/2 was present in almost all tumours and p-ERK1/2 may be a prognostic marker at the invasive front of OSCCs. In early stage OSCCs, most tumours did not express COX-2 at the invasive front.

Foreign body gingival lesions: distribution, morphology, identification by X-ray energy dispersive analysis and possible origin of foreign material.

BACKGROUND: Foreign material may cause and aggravate gingival lesions. This is rarely considered clinically. The lesions are resistant to frequently protracted conventional therapy. The foreign material is often inconspicuous and easily overlooked by the pathologist. METHODS: 85 cases of gingival lesions containing foreign material were investigated by conventional and polarization light microscopy, focusing on the morphology and optical characteristics of the foreign substance. Supplemented with the results of X-ray energy dispersive analysis the foreign material was compared with commonly used dental materials. RESULTS: The foreign material was most frequently compatible with amalgam. Inconspicuous crystals, often revealed only by polarization microscopy, were most commonly compatible with abrasives, particularly corundum and silicates, and mostly occurred together with amalgam dust. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic introduction of dental materials during dental procedures explains most foreign body gingival lesions which could be reduced or avoided by prophylactic measures. Pathologists should meticulously scrutinize gingival biopsies routinely applying polarization microscopy.