Treatment of Orbital Medial Wall Fractures with Titanium Mesh Plates Using Retrocaruncular Approach: Outcomes with Different Techniques.

Surgical management of medial wall orbital fractures should be considered to avoid diplopia and posttraumatic enophthalmos. Treatment of these fractures remains a challenge for the maxillofacial surgeon because of complex anatomy and limited vision. This article aims to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes in the repair of medial orbital wall fractures using a retrocaruncular approach and titanium meshes, comparing the placement of the titanium mesh with three different techniques: (1) conventional free hand under direct vision, (2) with the assistance of an endoscope, and (c) with the assistance of a navigation system. Eighteen patients who underwent surgery for orbital medial wall fracture were enrolled in the study. On the basis of the implant placement technique, three groups were identified: group 1 (CONV), conventional free hand under direct vision; group 2 (ENDO), endoscopically assisted; group 3 (NAVI), a navigational system assisted (BrainLab, Feldkirchen, Germany). The postoperative quality of orbital reconstruction was assessed as satisfactory in 12 cases, good in 4 cases, and unsatisfactory in 2 cases. Particularly in group 1 (CONV) in four patients out of eight, the posterior ledge of the fracture was not reached by the implant and in one patient the mesh hinged toward the ethmoid. In group 3 (NAVI), in one patient out of five, the posterior ledge of the fracture was not reached. In conclusion, titanium orbital mesh plates and retrocaruncular approach are a reliable method to obtain an accurate orbital medial wall reconstruction. The use of endoscopic assistance through the surgical incisions improves accuracy of treatment allowing better visualization of the surgical field. Navigation aided surgery is a feasible technique especially for complex orbital reconstruction to improve predictability and outcomes in orbital repair.

Endoscopic removal of an ectopic tooth in maxillary sinus.

Ectopic teeth erupted in the maxillary sinus are rarely reported. Although the causes of eruption of a tooth into the maxillary sinus are unclear, some clinical conditions are suspected to be responsible, such as developmental disturbances (cleft palate), displacement of teeth by trauma, interventions or cyst, infection, genetic factors, crowding, and dense bone. Most cases of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus are asymptomatic and are occasionally diagnosed thanks to routine radiographic investigations.The aim of this article is to present and discuss the surgical management of an ectopic third molar in the roof of the maxillary sinus.

Double consecutive retrobulbar hemorrhage in a high-risk patient in treatment with aspirin and warfarin.

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a vision-threatening emergency that may occur spontaneously or following facial trauma, orbital surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, and retrobulbar injections. It may determine visual loss because of central retinal artery occlusion, optic neuropathy from direct compression, or compression of the circulation from mechanical tamponade. In addition to a deterioration in visual acuity with total blindness in the most severe cases, several symptoms and signs can be found, such as a sudden onset of severe pain, proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia.The knowledge of past medical history and underlying medical conditions is crucial in patients with retrobulbar hemorrhages. In fact, patients with blood dyscrasias have to be considered high-risk patients due to their increased propensity for uncontrolled bleeding.The aim of this article was to present and discuss the management of a case of double consecutive retrobulbar hemorrhage in a high-risk patient in treatment with aspirin and warfarin.

Management and outcomes of three cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic infection caused by fungi belonging to Mucorales order. The infection usually starts in the middle or inferior nasal meatus and then spreads to the paranasal sinuses and the orbit. Then it reaches the brain through the ethmoid and the orbit apex and can lead to lethargy, paralysis, and death. The majority of cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are diagnosed in patients with immunologic and metabolic disorders. Early diagnosis is fundamental, and so is medical therapy with amphotericin B along with surgical toilet of the compromised tissues. This article presents and discusses the management of 3 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis with different onsets, progressions, and outcomes.

Pathologic mandibular fracture as the presenting manifestation of multiple myeloma.

The authors report on the management of a patient who presented with a pathologic mandibular fracture as the initial presenting sign of multiple myeloma. The patient underwent surgical resection of the mandibular area involved by the pathologic fracture and osteolytic lesion. Then, he was prescribed combined thalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone for systemic treatment. The patient tolerated his treatment well and is currently being followed up on outpatient basis. The treatment of a mandibular pathologic fracture associated with a solitary multiple myeloma lesion should include a segmental resection of the mandibular bone that is involved by the lesion. An appropriate reconstruction can be immediately performed or delayed. Anyway, the importance of an early beginning of systemic treatment should always be remembered.

Mucociliary function during maxillary sinus floor elevation.

Maxillary sinus floor elevation carries the potential risk of compromising the sinus physiology. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess mucociliary function during maxillary sinus augmentation in patients without preoperative signs of maxillary sinusitis. Ten patients underwent unilateral sinus floor elevation under local anesthesia and endoscopic control. Methylene blue was dropped on the floor of the maxillary sinus to evaluate mucociliary function until the ostium region during sinus augmentation. The drainage of methylene blue was noticed in the lateral, medial, posterior, and anterior walls and in the roof of the sinus. As for the sinus floor, only the detached part of mucosa in correspondence of the eroded bony window presented not drained methylene blue, showing an absence of mucociliary function. Mucociliary function is preserved even during the surgical procedure except for the detached area of the schneiderian membrane.

Endoscopic-assisted removal of an intraorbital dislocated dental implant.

OBJECTIVES: Displacement of dental implants in the orbit is extremely rare. The aim of this article is to present and discuss the endoscopic management of a dental implant dislocated in the orbit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 40-year-old woman underwent the placement of three dental implants at the upper right molar region, but during the intervention, the implant was displaced in the orbit. RESULTS: The implant was removed endoscopically through the existing oroantral communication: the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on a displaced non-zygomatic dental implant into the orbit. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the endoscopic approach is highly reliable and minimally invasive to remove foreign bodies from paranasal sinuses.

Diagnosis and surgical management of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon disease, which is characterized by chondrometaplasia of the synovial membrane. It is characterized by cartilaginous metaplasia of the mesenchymal remnants of the synovial tissue of the joints. Loose bodies can be found within the joint space. The cause of SC in the TMJ remains unclear. The nonspecific signs of SC often lead to a delay in diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. Removal of the loose bodies and of the synovial membrane involved is sufficient to control the disease in most cases. We present and discuss the diagnosis and surgical management of a new case of unilateral SC of the TMJ.