Malignant hemangiopericytoma of the gingiva: report of a case.

A case of malignant hemangiopericytoma arising in the left maxillary gingiva in a 2-year-old boy is presented. This represents an extremely rare intraoral lesion that is impossible to diagnose clinically. Histologic diagnosis was made by use of special staining techniques, immunohistochemical stains, and electron microscopic evaluation. This tumor shows a high incidence of local recurrence with a poor prognosis. The mainstay of treatment is wide local excision and adequate postoperative follow-up.

Gas-producing necrotizing fasciitis following mandibular fracture.

A case of necrotizing fasciitis following a mandibular fracture is reported. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease are discussed.

A simplified technique for nasoendotracheal tube immobilization.

A simplified technique for immobilization of a nasoendotracheal tube is described in which a wide strap of open cell, hypoallergenic, foam-backed fabric is secured to the patient's head with a Velcro fastener.

A comparison of radiographic treatment methods for evaluation of the orbit.

The use of conventional radiography, complex motion tomography, and computed tomography for evaluation of eight patients with orbital floor fractures indicates that CT scans in an axial plane with coronal and sagittal reformations offer the best radiographic evaluation of the orbit.

Postoperative nutritional support in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The patient sustaining maxillofacial trauma, disease or deformity presents with unique nutritional problems, especially during the postoperative period. By providing a nutritionally adequate diet in the preoperative and immediate postoperative period and during convalescence, complications can be reduced and healing improved. This paper details the nutritional requirements for patients and the indications for, and complications from, total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutritional support.

Transplantation of the submandibular duct associated with resection for carcinoma.

This article presents a new technique of duct transplantation that should be employed when large portions of the floor of the mouth are to be resected. The incidence of submaxillary duct stenosis was doubled when the transected ducts were disregarded. The consequences of ductal stenosis include fibrotic submaxillary glands that, following resection for carcinoma, may be mistaken for regional metastases. With metastases suspected, the patient may be exposed to any number of invasive diagnostic and treatment modalities that could have been avoided by using the technique described here.

Pre-auricular oat cell carcinoma metastases.

The oat cell tumor is a particularly lethal form of bronchogenic carcinoma. Cutaneous metastases occur occasionally in the pre-auricular area. In addition to benign and malignant parotid lesions, the differential diagnosis of a pre-auricular mass must now include metastatic disease, particularly if a history of a thoracic malignancy is elicited. We present two such cases of metastatic oat cell carcinoma in the pre-auricular region.

Malignant melanoma metastatic to the mandible.

Metastatic malignant melanoma to the jaws is uncommon and is usually accompanied by generalized involvement. Hematogenous dissemination with deposition and growth in areas of hematopoietic marrow (that is, the mandibular molar region) is the accepted mechanism for involvement of the jaw. Clinical and radiographic findings are nonspecific. Comprehensive history, physical examination, and tissue microscopy are essential to accurate diagnosis and management of the patient. Radiotherapy for palliation is the accepted mode of therapy for symptomatic metastatic melanoma. Prognosis in cases with secondary jaw involvement is grave. A case of malignant melanoma with metastases to the mandible is presented and the literature is reviewed.

The use of a modified skin grafting technique for alveolar sulcus extension.

A modified technique for alveolar sulcus extension was developed from the classic procedure of extending the oral sulcus with epithelium. The ease of surgical manipulation sharply reduces postoperative morbidity and offers highly satisfactory functional results.