[Tracheobronchial perforations--a complication after mouth, maxillary and facial surgery]

After difficult endotracheal intubation in oral and maxillofacial surgery, esophageal or tracheal injuries can cause mediastinal, pericardial or cervicofacial soft tissue emphysema. If a patient has of thoracic pain after general anesthesia, mediastinal emphysema should be taken into consideration because of the possibility of subsequent life-threatening complications. Diagnosis can be established with computed tomography and fiber-endoscopy. We present the diagnostic and therapeutic management of two patients.

One-step resection and reconstruction of the mandible using computer-aided techniques--experimental and clinical results

In patients with advanced oral cancer, a resection of the mandible continuity is often indicated. This new method presented here uses computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for preoperative fabrication of individual mandibular prostheses and their corresponding resection templates in a direct fashion without the need for additional physical models. In this experimental application, a segment of a dried mandible was resected and replaced by a titanium prosthesis prefabricated by CAD/CAM. It was the aim of this investigation to verify the processing chain and its precision, i.e., the fit of an individual implant, such as this. Although this new technique offers fascinating opportunities, possible clinical drawbacks have to be taken into account.

Destruction of the glenoid joint fossa by a tenosynovial giant-cell tumour of the skull base: a case report

A 63-year-old man is presented in whom a tenosynovial giant-cell tumour had destroyed the temporomandibular joint fossa and expanded intracranially. The lesion was not diagnosed for a period of at least two years. Treatment included wide resection including the surrounding bone, dura and condyle.

[Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint with invasion of middle cranial fossa]

A 63-year-old man is presented in whom a tenosynovail giant-cell tumor destroyed the right temporomandibular joint and fossa and showed extensive intracranial growth. Because of uncharacteristic complaints, a symptomatic treatment was performed elsewhere. The lesion was finally resected under endotracheal anesthesia. After 20 months free of recurrence the patient's outcome is very satisfying. Differential diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

[Problems in diagnosis and therapy of carcinoma in stroma-abundant pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland]

The case is reported of a 27-year-old patient who developed multiple recurrences of a carcinoma arising from richly stromal pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland over 13 years. Originally the tumor was classified as a benign pleomorphic adenoma because there were no cytological characteristics of malignancy. Later on the diagnosis had to be modified to that of a carcinoma arising from a pleomorphic adenoma because of the infiltrating growth pattern of the tumor. A multicentric local recurrence and metastases on the left side of the neck supported the correct diagnosis. This case demonstrates that, beside the classic cytological criteria of malignancy invasion and penetration of the capsule can be decisive for the diagnosis of malign transformed pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment and prognosis of salivary gland tumors assume a clear determination of their diguity. The unusual course in this case of a pleomorphic adenoma originally diagnosed as benign demonstrates the importance of regular follow-up.