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Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is considered a feasible neck staging tool in early oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative morbidity in patients who had undergone SNB and elective neck dissection (END). Seventy-three consecutive patients were included between the years 2005 and 2009. The patients were divided into two groups according to neck management: SNB and END groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups. Shoulder function, length of the surgical scar, and the degree of cervical lymphoedema were assessed. Neck haematoma and the presence of oro-cervical communication were also analyzed. Thirty-two patients underwent SNB and 41 underwent an END (levels I–III). Seven regional recurrences were recorded in the END group. Three neck recurrences occurred in the SNB group. No significant differences were found in DFS or OS between the groups. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in shoulder function and average scar length. However, differences in degree of lymphoedema were not statistically significant. Neck hematomas and oro-cervical communications occurred only in the END group. From this study, it can be concluded that SNB presents less postoperative morbidity than END. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical presentation, risk factors, radiologic features, histopathologic and microbiological findings, treatment, and evolution of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (BONJ). Methods: This study made a retrospective review of 21 patients who underwent treatment and diagnosis of BONJ during 2004 to 2007 in a tertiary health care center reference for 1,100,000 inhabitants. Results: The mean patient age at the time of presentation was 65.1 years. Of the 21 patients observed, 19 (90.4%) were receiving intravenous zoledronate. Of the 21 patients, 15 were treated with bisphosphonates for bone metastasis (71.4%), 5 for multiple myeloma (23.8%), and 1 for rheumatoid arthritis (4.7%). In 17 patients, the lesions occurred in the mandible. Fifteen patients had previous tooth extractions at the same site of bone necrosis. Conclusion: In our series, most patients improved with conservative surgical debridement. Prospective clinical trials would enable clinicians to make accurate judgments about risk, treatment, and outcome for patients with BONJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopetroses represent a heterogeneous group of rare, hereditary bony dysplasias. They range from a devastating neurometabolic disease (including severe malignant infantile osteopetrosis) to 2 more benign conditions principally affecting adults: autosomal dominant osteopetrosis (ADO) type I and type II. The present study describes the maxillofacial manifestations associated with the 2 subgroups of ADO. In this paper, we present the oldest patient described in the literature with ADO type I (76 years old). We also document the first ADO type II patient described in the literature with synchronic osteomyelitis of the mandible and the maxilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]