Oral manifestations of amyloidosis and the diagnostic applicability of oral tissue biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis exhibits a variable spectrum of systemic signs and oral manifestations that can be difficult to diagnose. This study aimed to characterize the clinical, demographic, and microscopic features of amyloidosis in the oral cavity. METHODS: This collaborative study involved three Brazilian oral pathology centers and described cases with a confirmed diagnosis of amyloidosis on available oral tissue biopsies. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. H&E, Congo-red, and immunohistochemically stained slides were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-six oral biopsies from 23 individuals (65.2% males; mean age: 59.6 years) were included. Oral involvement was the first sign of the disease in 67.0% of cases. Two patients had no clinical manifestation in the oral mucosa, although the histological analysis confirmed amyloid deposition. Amyloid deposits were distributed in perivascular (88.0%), periacinar and periductal (80.0%), perineurial (80.0%), endoneurial (33.3%), perimuscular (88.2%), intramuscular (94.1%), and subepithelial (35.3%) sites as well as around fat cells (100.0%). Mild/moderate inflammation was found in 65.4% of cases and 23.1% had giant cells. CONCLUSIONS: Amyloid deposits were consistently found in oral tissues, exhibiting distinct deposition patterns. Oral biopsy is less invasive than internal organ biopsy and enables the reliable identification of amyloid deposits even in the absence of oral manifestations. These findings corroborate the relevance of oral biopsy for the diagnosis of amyloidosis.

Oral melanoacanthoma: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of a case series and a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: This study presents a case series and scoping review of oral melanoacanthoma to examine its clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical characteristics. METHODS: Nine cases of oral melanoacanthoma were included in the case series. Clinical data were collected from biopsy charts. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry for TRP2, CD3, and CD20 were done. For the scoping review, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched. RESULTS: Case series: The mean age was 46.8 years (female-to-male ratio 2:1). Lesion's mean size was 11.0 mm (±9.3). Lesions were mainly macular (77.8%) with brown or black coloration (88.9%) and often affected multiple sites (44.4%). The evolution time ranged from 15 days to 96 months. Lesions commonly showed epithelial acanthosis (66.7%), spongiosis (55.6%), exocytosis (77.8%), melanin incontinence (88.9%), and inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria (77.8%), from which all showed lymphocytes. TRP2-positive melanocytes were identified in the basal and spinous layer of all cases, and in the superficial layer of three cases. CD3-positive cells predominate over the CD20-positive. Scoping review: 85 cases of oral melanoacanthoma were retrieved from 55 studies. Patients were primarily female (female-to-male ratio 2.2:1), black-skinned (64.1%), with a mean age of 36.13 (± 17.24). Lesions were flat (81.9%), often brown (62.4%). Buccal mucosa was the preferred site (32.9%), followed by multiple sites (28.2%). CONCLUSION: Oral melanoacanthoma mainly affects women across a wide age range, with lesions commonly appearing as brown/black macules, particularly on the buccal mucosa. TRP2-positive melanocytes and T-lymphocytes were consistently found and could participate in oral melanoacanthoma pathogenesis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the oral cavity in children aged 0-2 years: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to collect, synthesize, and analyze the clinic-demographic data of rhabdomyosarcoma affecting the oral cavity of young children. METHODS: The clinical question was "What are the clinical characteristics of oral rhabdomyosarcoma in children aged zero to two years?" Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality through the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist. Descriptive statistics were performed in SPSS. (protocol: osf.io/b9hvy). RESULTS: Thirty case reports with 41 patients were included (22 males; mean age at diagnosis: 15 months). All studies had some methodological limitations, mainly due to the lack of clarity for a final judgment. More than 70% of the cases affected the tongue or lips. Tumors had a fast growth (mean 2.5 months), usually with red coloration, and variable shape and consistency. Embryonal (63.41%) and alveolar (29.27%) were the most common histological subtypes. Treatment was quite variable but usually included surgery. Most patients (53.66%) were alive without disease at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Oral rhabdomyosarcoma is rare in children aged 0-2 years without a marked gender predilection. The tumor presents as a fast and infiltrative growth leading to local and/or systemic symptoms, and a favorable prognosis for most patients.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasms in the head and neck region: A systematic analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cytopathologic analysis is feasible and provides detailed morphological characterisation of head and neck lesions. AIMS: To integrate the available data published on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) used for the diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasms (PCN) of the head and neck region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus were performed to compile data from case reports/case series published in English. The Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for the critical appraisal of studies. RESULTS: A total of 82 studies comprising 102 patients were included in this review. There was a predilection for men (68.6%) (male/female ratio: 2.1:1). Individuals in their 50s (29.4%), 60s (22.5%), and 70s (22.5%) were more often affected. The thyroid gland (26.2%) was the main anatomical location, followed by scalp (15.5%), neck/cervical region (15.5%), jaws (13.6%), and major salivary glands (13.6%). For FNAC analysis, a smear was employed in 41 (40.6%) cases and a cell block was used in four (3.9%). In 56 (55.4%) reports, no cytological methods were available. Morphologically, 34 (56.7%) cases had a diagnosis of PCN with agreement between cytopathology and histopathology. The rate of wrong diagnoses when using cytology was 27.5%. Immunophenotyping was performed in 49 (48%) of the cases. The 69-month disease-free survival rate was 60.2%, while the 27-month overall survival rate was 64.1%. CONCLUSION: This study reinforces that FNAC can be an ancillary tool in the first step towards the diagnosis of PCN of the head and neck region, especially when applying a cell block for cytological analysis.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public University laboratories of oral and maxillofacial pathology: A Brazilian multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of diagnoses of oral and maxillofacial lesions in public laboratories after one year of COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Biopsies submitted to histopathologic examination from March 2019 to February 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and from April 2020 to March 2021 (pandemic period) in nine Brazilian public oral pathology laboratories were retrieved and the number of diagnoses, types of lesion, and percentage changes during both periods were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 7389 diagnoses in the pre-pandemic period and 2728 in the pandemic era, indicating a reduction of 63.08%. The reduction was 64.23% for benign lesions and 49.48% for malignant lesions, with a 50.64% reduction in squamous cell carcinoma. The largest decreases were observed in April 2020 and January 2021. CONCLUSION: An important reduction in the diagnoses of benign and malignant lesions was noted in the Brazilian public oral pathology laboratories during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Differential diagnoses of solitary and multiple pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa: Evaluation of 905 specimens submitted to histopathological examination.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyze the frequency, clinical and demographic features of solitary and multiple/diffuse oral pigmented lesions submitted to histopathological examination, and to summarize the features that guide the clinical differential diagnosis. METHODS: Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from biopsy records and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: Nine hundred and five (0.51%) oral pigmented lesions were retrieved among 177 356 specimens, being 95.9% solitary and 4.1% multiple/diffuse lesions. Regardless the overlapping clinical presentation, age, site, association with amalgam restoration, and a nodular appearance may help in the clinical differential diagnosis of solitary oral pigmentations. Patient's habits, site, and systemic signs and symptoms are helpful in the clinical differential diagnosis of multiple/diffuse lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Oral pigmented lesions are a rare diagnosis in oral pathology and solitary lesions are more commonly submitted to biopsy. Some key features help in the differential diagnosis, though biopsy can be warranted in doubtful cases.

Benign connective and soft-tissue neoplasms of the oral and maxillofacial region: Cross-sectional study of 1066 histopathological specimens.

BACKGROUND: Benign connective and soft-tissue neoplasms (CSTNs) are unusual in the head and neck region. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the demographic and clinicopathological features of these neoplasms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of cases diagnosed as benign CSTNs, with data collected from biopsy records. The chi-square test was used. A p-value <0.05 was considered indicative of statistical significance. RESULTS: Among the 38 119 specimens, 1066 (2.79%) were benign CSTNs: 369 fibroblastic/myofibroblastic, 250 adipocytic, 179 vascular, 130 neural, 94 osseous/cartilaginous, 19 muscular, and two fibrohistiocytic. Most patients were female (62.8%) and white-skinned (45.8%). Mean age was 42 years. The tongue (25.2%) was the most affected site for extraosseous neoplasms. CONCLUSION: This study had the largest sample of benign oral and maxillofacial CSTNs. Although these tumors have similar clinical features, the characterization and differentiation detailed here may help clinicians with regards to the correct diagnosis.

Unusual exophytic gingival lesion in a newborn treated with diode laser.

Gingival lesions rarely occur in newborns. However, when present, they commonly worry the parents and impair the infant's feeding, thus affecting growth. Such lesions are usually nonneoplastic in nature, although malignancies may develop; therefore, specimens must be submitted for histopathologic examination. A 2-month-old girl presented with a 10-mm nodule on the anterior lower alveolar ridge in association with natal tooth extraction and neonatal tooth eruption. The lesion was excised with high-power laser under local anesthesia, and a histopathologic diagnosis of a peripheral ossifying fibroma was made. In addition to peripheral ossifying fibromas being rare in newborns, the use of high-power lasers for surgical procedures in newborns have been proven to be safe, comfortable, and efficient.

Características clínicas e demográficas das lesões pigmentadas da mucosa bucal: estudo multicêntrico no Brasil / Retrospective analysis of pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa: A multicenter study

Este estudo multicêntrico investigou a frequência, as características clínicas e demográficas das lesões pigmentadas da mucosa oral, comparando lesões melanocíticas e não melanocíticas. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais sob o parecer nº 3.257.828 e CAAE 55119516.5.0000.5149 e replicado para os Comitês de Ética dos demais centros. Em uma análise retrospectiva de 1952 a 2018, realizada em sete serviços de Patologia Oral do Brasil, dados clínicos e demográficos foram coletados dos registros de biópsia. Modelos de regressão logística binária foram realizados para estimar a Odds Ratio - OR não ajustada e ajustada (IC95%), utilizando o programa SPSS versão 19.0. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 0,05. Foram revisados 177.356 laudos, desses 905 (0,51%) foram lesões pigmentadas orais, sendo 54,5% melanocíticas e 45,5% não melanocíticas. Pacientes menores de 19 anos, com cor de pele não branca (OR = 2,09 IC95% 1,26-3,47), lesão elevada (OR = 4,44 IC 95% 1,63- 12,96), de cor marrom (OR = 10,26 IC95% 4,84-21,76), localizada no lábio (OR = 43,62 IC95% 12,47-152,66), palato (OR = 7,24 IC95% 3,65-14,33) e mucosa bucal (OR = 1,98 IC95% 1,08-3,62) têm mais chances de serem melanocíticas do que não melanocíticas (p <0,05). Indivíduos com mais de 20 anos (OR = 0,13 e 0,14; IC95% 0,05-0,36 e 0,05-0,44) e lesões localizadas em soalho bucal (OR=0.17 IC95% 0,03- 0,80) têm menos chance de serem lesões melanocíticas do que não melanocíticas (p <0,05). Sexo, sintomas e tamanho não foram associados ao tipo de lesão (p> 0,05). Lesões pigmentadas são diagnósticos raros em amostras de biópsia oral. O presente estudo compreende a maior amostra até o momento. Localização da lesão, cor, lesão fundamental, cor da pele e idade são características que podem ajudar o clínico a diferenciar pigmentações orais melanocíticas e não melanocíticas. A diferenciação das pigmentações orais melanocíticas e não melanocíticas pode implicar no manejo dos pacientes, pois na maioria das lesões não melanocíticas é possível dispensar uma biópsia, enquanto as lesões melanocíticas geralmente precisam ser confirmadas pelo exame histopatológico.

This multicenter study evaluated the frequency, clinical and demographic characteristics of oral pigmented lesions, comparing melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions that have been submitted to histopathological analysis in the five regions of the Brazilian territory (North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and South). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Federal University of Minas Gerais under the protocol number 3.257.828 and CAAE 55119516.5.0000.5149 and replicated to the Ethics Committees of the other centers. A retrospective analysis from 1952 to 2018, was made on the biopsy files from seven Oral Pathology services in Brazil. Based on the histopathological diagnosis, clinical and demographic data were collected from biopsy charts of all pigmented lesions. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Out of the 177,356 files reviewed, 905 were pigmented lesions, representing 0.51%. Melanocytic lesions were more frequent (54.5%) than nonmelanocytic (45.5%). Melanotic macula (54.1%) and melanocytic nevi (34.1%) were the most frequent lesions among melanocytic lesions. Amalgam tattoo (91.3%) and exogenous pigmentation (7.3%) were the most entities found in nonmelanocytic lesions. Statistically significant association (p<0.05) was found between the type of lesion and age, skin color, fundamental lesion, color, and affected site. Individuals under 19 years, nonwhite (OR=2.09 95% CI 1.26-3.47), a raised lesion (OR=4.44 95% CI1.63-12.96), with brown color (OR=10.26 95% CI 4.84- 21.76) have more chance to represent a melanocytic lesion than a nonmelanocytic (p<0.05). Lesions in lip (OR=43.62 95% CI 12.47-152.66), palate (OR=7.24 95% CI 3.65-14.33) and buccal mucosa (OR=1.98 95% CI 1.08-3.62) had more chance to be melanocytic than nonmelanocytic (p<0.05), while those on the floor of the mouth (OR=0.17 95% CI 0.03-0.80) were more likely to be nonmelanocytic. Sex, symptoms, or size were not associated with type of lesion (p>0.05). Pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa are rare among biopsied lesions. This is the first multicenter study with the largest sample to date. Knowledge about the aspects associated with melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions helps the clinician in the differential diagnosis and drives the correct management, since for most nonmelanocytic lesions a biopsy can be let off, whereas melanocytic lesions usually need to be confirmed by histopathological exam. Lesion location, color, fundamental lesion, skin-color and age are features that can help differentiate melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions.