Juvenile ossifying fibroma of maxilla: Concurrent presentation of psammomatoid and trabecular variant

Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma (JOF) is a type of ossifying fibroma which occurs in younger individuals and manifests as trabecular and psammomatoid variants. The nature and behaviour of these variants vary, and they exhibit characteristic histopathological appearance. The solitary presentation of these subtypes is reported in numbers, but co-occurrence of both these entities is very few. Here, we present a case of JOF with the co-occurrence of both trabecular and psammomatoid variants in relation to an incompletely healed extraction socket.

Role of dry ice in decoverslipping of microscopic slides: A new insight

Background

The process of decoverslipping is often required in a laboratory to review or examine an older slide which tends to fade over time, making it almost impossible to use it for research or study purposes. The sections then need to be re-stained which can only be done after removing the coverslip. The traditional method of decoverslipping using xylene is a time-consuming process. Various methods have been used in the past; however, none were found to be completely effective. Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is an easily available, cheap cooling agent with a low freezing temperature (-78.5°C) which was evaluated for its efficacy in decoverslipping process, as an alternative to xylene.

Materials and Method

64 faded haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histopathology slides were randomly selected and segregated, according to duration of year, into eight major groups. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the time that the slides were subjected for decoverslipping. The slides were placed on dry ice and the time was set. Once the coverslip was removed, the slides were placed in xylene to remove any residual mountant. The tissue sections were evaluated for physical disfigurement followed by re-staining with H&E to check for any change in tissue morphology.

Result

The mean time taken for removal of coverslip using dry ice was 35 seconds.

Conclusion

This technique is easy, fast, and effective, with no tissue loss or compromise in staining quality, thereby preventing xylene toxicity and its effect on the environment.

Spectrum of salivary gland diseases: A 24-year single-institution retrospective study

Introduction

Salivary glands are exocrine glands and are classified as major and minor salivary glands. Salivary gland pathologies are classified as neoplastic and non-neoplastic. The neoplasms of salivary glands can be benign or malignant.

Aim

The aim of the study was to describe the frequency of various salivary gland diseases reported in our institution from 1997 to 2021.

Methodology

This was a 24-year retrospective study of salivary gland lesions processed and reported by the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Data regarding age, gender, site, and diagnosis were obtained and studied.

Results

Amongst the total 5928 biopsied cases reported, 6% were salivary gland pathologies. Two hundred sixty-six were non-neoplastic lesions and 81 were neoplastic. The most common non-neoplastic lesion was mucous extravasation cyst. The most common neoplastic lesion was pleomorphic adenoma.

Conclusion

The frequency of occurrence of salivary gland lesions in the last 24 years of this institution is almost similar to that stated in other published studies.

Estimation and comparison of salivary flow rate and its composition in diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients: A pilot study

Background:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia irregularities in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and protein. It is often associated with the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications and neuropathies. The health of oral tissues is known to be related to the quality and quantity of saliva both of which may be altered in diabetes.

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to determine the salivary flow rate, electrolytes and total proteins in saliva of Type II diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods:

A total number of 120 participants were included in this study, in which 80 patients were suffering from Type II DM (which included both controlled and uncontrolled diabetes) and 40 nondiabetic persons (controls). The study population included both the genders, with an age range of 40–70 years. The study population was divided into three groups.

Results:

The values of total protein, sodium, potassium and salivary flow rate among controls, controlled diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes were collected, formulated and multiple comparisons between the groups using the analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference analysis were done in version 16.0 of SPSS software.

Conclusion:

Studies with larger sample size are warranted to know the exact pathophysiology of controlled and uncontrolled Type II DM in terms of salivary flow rate, salivary electrolytes and total protein.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the tongue: A case report and an overview of histogenetic concepts

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, is an aggressive and highly infiltrating epithelial neoplasm, which has a distinct histomorphological features comprising simultaneous areas of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Some researchers consider it as a controversial neoplasm, as it may arise from the ducts of the minor salivary gland or from the overlying surface epithelium. In the head-and-neck region, commonly affected sites include paranasal sinuses, larynx and oral cavity. Areas of occurrence in the oral cavity include palate, tonsillar pillar areas, tongue and floor of the mouth. The prognosis of the neoplasm is considered poor due to its early recurrence, local and distant metastasis and low survival rate. This article reports a case of ASC affecting the posterior part of the tongue in a 50-year-old male patient and an overview of its histogenetic concepts.

Comparison of cheiloscopy, odontometric, and facial index for sex determination in forensic dentistry

Background:

The “gender determination” which is an important human identification procedure not only helps in establishing the biological profile from skeletal and dental remains but also in facial reconstruction of unidentified victims.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to analyze predominant types of lip prints (cheiloscopy), accuracy of mandibular canine index (MCI) (odontometric), and facial index in the study population and to identify whether any correlation among the above parameters could help forensic dentistry in solving crimes.

Materials and Methods:

A pilot study was conducted in 100 individuals, 50 males and 50 females aged between 20 and 25 years. For each individual, the lip prints, MCI, and facial index measurements were recorded on the same day analyzed by two observers. All the analysis was done using SPSS version 14 assessed using t-test and Chi-square test.

Results:

Type II pattern of lip prints is observed as common pattern among male and female. There is no significant difference in Odontometric analysis. The mean value of facial index analysis in both genders shows highly significant.

Conclusion:

A large-scale study is required in order to validate our results to arrive at definitive results and value.

Evaluation of Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels in Smokers, Tobacco Chewers and Patients with Oral Lichenoid Reactions

INTRODUCTION

Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical, acts as a signalling molecule affecting numerous physiological and pathological processes. Role of nitric oxide as a mediator in tobacco related habits and the resultant oral lichenoid reactions was assessed.

AIM

The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the salivary nitric oxide levels in normal patients with that of smokers, tobacco chewers and patients with oral lichenoid reactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in the study which included 30 healthy patients without any chronic inflammatory lesion and habit as controls (group I), 30 smokers without the habit of tobacco/betel nut chewing and any oral lesion (group II), 30 tobacco chewers without the habit of smoking and any oral lesion (group III) and 30 histologically confirmed cases of oral lichenoid reaction with the habit of tobacco usage (group IV). Saliva from these patients was collected and the nitrite concentration was assessed.

RESULTS

Our results concluded that there was highly significant increase in the nitric oxide levels in smokers, tobacco chewers and patients with oral lichenoid reactions compared to that of controls. Also, there was a significant increase in nitric oxide levels in patients with smoking associated oral lichenoid reactions in comparison with smokers and in patients with lichenoid reactions associated with tobacco chewing in comparison with tobacco chewers.

CONCLUSION

Estimation of salivary nitric oxide levels is a simple, non-invasive procedure and could be analysed to suggest the role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of these lesions. The increased activity of the enzyme may indicate that nitric oxide has a pathophysiological role in these lesions.

Giant cell fibroma: A clinicopathological study

Objective:

Giant cell fibromas (GCF) of the oral cavity are found predominantly in Caucasians and rarely in other races. This retrospective study was done to evaluate the clinicopathological features of GCFs in a sample of Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

21 oral GCF cases were investigated from the year 1995 to 2010. Clinical data and microscopic features were reviewed and analyzed.

Results:

The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 39years. Oral GCF occurred in patients between 6 and 67 years of age. The lesions were 4-17 mm in greatest dimension. GCF frequently has the provisional diagnosis of fibroma or papilloma. All tumors were treated by total surgical excision and no recurrence was reported. The consistent and diagnostic feature was the presence of large stellate giant cells, usually with one or two nuclei. Multinucleated giant cells were seen occasionally. These giant cells were most numerous in the connective tissue beneath the epithelium.

Conclusion:

Though there are distinct histopathologic features for GCF, its clinical presentation and prognosis are similar to the conventional fibroma/fibroepithelial polyp.

Plasma cell granuloma of lip

Plasma cells are medium-sized round-to-oval cells with eccentrically placed nuclei, usually found in the red pulp of the spleen, tonsils, medulla of the lymph nodes, nasal mucosa, upper airway, lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract, and sites of inflammation. Plasma cell granuloma is a rare reactive tumor-like proliferation composed chiefly of plasmacytic infiltrate. Here, we present a case of plasma cell granuloma of lip in a female patient.