[The determination of polyamines in tumors of the maxillofacial area]. / Dosaggio delle poliamine nei tumori della regione maxillo-facciale.

Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are polyamines deriving from ornithine. These are vital molecules for cell duplication processes; in fact, enzyme inhibitors responsible for synthesis are able to block cell multiplication. It is interesting to observe that there is an increased concentration of the polyamines and enzymes responsible for synthesis in solid tumours in man and in biological fluids in subjects carrying tumours. The authors assayed the polyamine concentration in tumour tissue taken from 10 cases of parotid carcinoma, noting a considerable increase in their levels compared to healthy control tissues. The hypothesis of being able to use the level of polyamines present in biological fluids in order to make an early diagnosis of tumours has now been definitively abandoned, both due to the scarce specificity and sensitivity of the available methods and due to the fact that increased polyamine concentrations were also found in physiological conditions and in the presence of non-tumour diseases; however, it is now being examined whether it would be possible to use polyamine levels to assess the degree of biochemical tumour malignancy or to evaluate the response to surgical or pharmacological treatment in patients with malignant tumours.

[The therapy of carcinomas in the oromaxillofacial area. IV. Carcinomas of the buccal mucosa]. / La terapia dei carcinomi nel distretto oro-maxillo-facciale. Nota IV.--Carcinomi della mucosa geniena.

The authors describe the therapeutic modalities for the care of epidermoid carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Surgery and radiotherapy are equally effective in the early lesions, while for the advanced disease the therapy should always be combined.

[Therapy of carcinoma of the oro-maxillo-facial region. 3. Hard palate and upper gums]. / La terapia dei carcinomi del distretto oro-maxillo-facciale. Nota III. Palato duro e gengiva superiore.

The Authors describe the therapeutic modalities for the care of epidermoid carcinoma of the hard palate and superior gingiva. Surgery and radiotherapy are equally effective for the early stages, while in the advanced disease therapy should be always combined.

[Pharmacokinetics. 1. Introduction]. / Farmacocinetica. Nota I: Generalità.

The authors give general concepts about pharmacokinetic before the application of ionophoresis to odontology.

The importance of etiology for the successful treatment of secondary trigeminal neuralgia. Reviews of some clinical cases.

Incorrect etiopathological evaluation of trigeminal neuralgia could result in therapeutic mistakes. Some of the clinical cases encountered are reviewed to point out diagnosis leading to valid therapeutic approaches.