Dentin formation in so-called "fibro-osteo-cemental" lesions of the jaw: histologic, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical investigations

Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma of Orbit-A rare case report and review of literature

Fibro osseous lesions of the craniofacial skeleton are a benign condition in which the normal architecture of the bone is replaced by fibrous connective tissue with varying degrees of mineralization. JOF forms a special entity among the fibro osseous lesions because of its age of occurrence and its aggressive nature thereby mimicking a malignancy. The Juvenile Ossifying Fibromas were further subdivided into Psammomatoid and Trabecular variant based on their histopathological characteristics. They tend to differ in their mineralized portion with the trabecular variant showing woven bone while the psammamotoid shows lamellated and spherical ossicles in various shapes in a myxoid stroma intermingled with bone cyst like areas. The reported cases of JPSOF are few, hence histopathological examination is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of this rare lesion and JOF should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of the lesions of the craniofacial skeleton. Early diagnosis and a complete surgical excision with adequate margins and a long term follow up is mandatory for a good prognosis of this highly recurrent and aggressive lesion.The diagnosis of JOF requires a careful correlation of clinical, radiological and histopathological features. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of JPOF of the orbit to stress the need for consideration of JOF in the differential diagnosis of the aggressive lesions of the Cranio facial skeleton. Key words:Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma, orbit, ossifying fibroma.

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia: a contraindication to orthodontic treatment in compromised areas

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia is a sclerosing disease that affects the mandible, especially the alveolar process, and that is, in most cases, bilateral; however, in some cases it affects up to three or even four quadrants. During the disease, normal bone is replaced with a thinly formed, irregularly distributed tissue peppered with radiolucent areas of soft tissue. Newly formed bone does not seem to invade periodontal space, but, in several images, it is confused with the roots, without, however, compromising pulp vitality or tooth position in the dental arch. There is no replacement resorption, not even when the images suggest dentoalveolar ankylosis. Orthodontists should make an accurate diagnosis when planning treatments, as this disease, when fully established, is one of the extremely rare situations in which orthodontic treatment is contraindicated. This contraindication is due to: (a) procedures such as the installment of mini-implants and mini-plaques, surgical maneuvers to apply traction to unerupted teeth and extractions should be avoided to prevent contamination of the affected bone with bacteria from the oral microbiota; and (b) tooth movement in the areas affected is practically impossible because of bone disorganization in the alveolar process, characterized by high bone density and the resulting cotton-wool appearance. Densely mineralized and disorganized bone is unable to remodel or develop in an organized way in the periodontal ligaments and the alveolar process. Organized bone remodeling is a fundamental phenomenon for tooth movement.

Comparison of tetrachromic VOF stain to other histochemical staining techniques for characterizing stromal soft and hard tissue components

The components of hard tissues including dentin, enamel, cementum, bone and other calcified deposits, and mature and immature collagen pose problems for identification in routine hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained sections. Use of combinations of stains can demonstrate the components of hard tissues and soft tissues distinctly. We assessed the efficacy of the Verde Luz-orange G-acid fuchsin (VOF) stain for differentiating hard and soft connective tissues and compared results with other histochemical staining techniques. Eighty tissue sections comprising developing tooth (30), ossifying fibroma (30) and miscellaneous pathologies (20) expected to contain varying types of calcified tissues were stained with H & E, VOF, and Masson's trichrome (MT). In developing tooth, VOF demonstrated better differentiation of hard tissues, while it was comparable to MT for ossifying fibroma and miscellaneous pathologies. The intensity of staining was greater with VOF than with the other stains studied. VOF stains hard tissue components distinctly and gives good contrast with the surrounding connective tissue. VOF is comparable to MT, but has added advantages including single step staining, rapid and easy procedures, and it distinguishes the maturity of the tissues.

A histochemical comparison of methylene-blue/acid fuchsin with hematoxylin and eosin for differentiating calcification of stromal tissue

Benign and malignant connective tissue tumors consist of a fibrous component that contains varying amounts of one or more types of bone or other calcified tissue. Diagnosis of these connective tissue tumors often poses challenges for pathologists, because it is difficult to differentiate the organic matrix of osteoid from hyalinized stroma. To establish a definitive diagnosis, it sometimes is advantageous to demonstrate histologically by special staining either the type of calcification or the presence or absence of calcification. We compared the efficacy of methylene blue-acid fuchsin (MB-AF) to hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) for connective tissue tumors suspected to contain calcifications and to devise an optimal staining technique for calcification that would be specific, simple, and cost- and time-effective. We examined 50 benign and 45 malignant connective tissue tumors that were suspected to contain calcifications. Sections were stained with H-E and MB-AF and evaluated. MB-AF stained bone pink, which contrasted with blue soft tissue. After MB-AF staining, osteoid was faint pink in a blue stromal background. Osteoid was not visualized in H-E stained sections; it was stained the same shade of pink as stromal tissue. Dystrophic calcification and cementum could be identified equally well using either staining technique, but contrast was better after H-E staining. MB-AF staining of bone was comparable to H-E staining and could be used effectively to stain bone and osteoid. MB-AF is a simple, single step procedure. It also stains cementum blue with faint blue rimming and dystrophic calcification bluish-pink, but it cannot be used as a specific stain for types of calcification other than bone and osteoid.

Juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma: a review

In WHO classification of odontogenic tumors (2005), juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is divided into juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (JPOF) and juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma (JTOF). JPOF has been distinguished because of its location, clinical behavior, and age of occurrence. It is generally seen in younger age group and the most common site is paranasal sinuses, orbits, and fronto-ethmoidal complex. Radiologically, the internal structure can be radiolucent, mixed, or radiopaque, depending on the degree of calcification and extent of the cystic changes. Histologically, it is characterized by a densely cellular fibrous stroma interspersed with numerous psammoma bodies. The treatment is "en bloc" surgical excision while in case of intracranial extension, tumor removal may need a combination of neurosurgical and transfacial approach. Malignant transformation and metastasis has not been reported but recurrence is common. The purpose of this narrative review article is to discuss the various aspects of JPOF reported in the English medical literature.

Aggressive psammomatoid ossifying fibromas of the sinonasal region: a clinicopathologic study of a distinct group of fibro-osseous lesions

BACKGROUND

Psammomatoid ossifying fibromas represent a unique subset of fibro-osseous lesions of the sinonasal tract. They have distinctive histomorphologic features and a tendency toward locally aggressive behavior, including invasion and destruction of adjacent anatomic structures.

METHODS

Seven cases of psammomatoid ossifying fibromas of the sinonasal tract were identified in the files of the Otolaryngic Tumor Registry at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Medical records, including the clinical history, location of the lesions, radiographs, treatment, and follow-up were reviewed in each case. Follow-up information was available in all of the cases.

RESULTS

Four of the patients were male and three were female. The patient's ages ranged from 5 to 54 years (median age, 33 years). Symptoms included facial swelling, nasal obstruction, pain, sinusitis, headache, and proptosis. Radiographic studies confirmed the presence of an osseous and/or soft tissue mass varying in appearance from well demarcated without invasion or erosion to invasive with bone erosion and intracranial extension. Sites of involvement included the nasal cavity and all paranasal sinuses, particularly the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. Often, more than one sinus was involved and extension of disease included involvement of the orbit, nasopharynx, palate, and anterior cranial fossa. The histologic appearance was characterized by the presence of small mineralized (psammomatoid) bodies admixed with a cellular stroma with a variable amount of myxomatous material and scattered giant cells. Confusion with other osseous and soft tissue tumors may occur resulting in too limited or too aggressive management. En bloc surgical excision is the treatment of choice and may prove curative. Aggressive behavior with recurrence(s) or invasion into adjacent structures occurred. At the time of this writing, the patients are alive over follow-up periods ranging from 6 months to 7 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Gnathic and midfacial fibro-osseous proliferations are a diverse group of lesions. A subset of these fibro-osseous lesions with predilection for the sinonasal tract were identified. These lesions are characterized by their distinctive histology, including psammomatoid ossicles and their locally aggressive growth. Complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice.

Gigantiform cementoma affecting a Caucasian family

A Caucasian family is presented in which two out of three children showed lesions resembling gigantiform cementoma clinically, radiologically and histopathologically. Both affected children had swellings of the alveolar crest, caused by large, lobular, radio-opaque masses in all four quadrants of the jaws. Histologically, cementum-like masses were surrounded by inflamed fibrous connective tissue. There was evidence indicating that the late father had similar lesions which became malignant following radiation therapy.