Pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures, and therapy are reviewed in order to draw attention to this rare entity.

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Bone represents a highly dynamic tissue whose development is strongly dependent on vasculogenic and angiogenic processes. Neovascularization also plays an important role in fracture healing and in tissue engineering applications aiming at restoring bone function. We have previously shown in a heterotopic subcutaneous implantation model of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice that implanted human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) gave rise to the formation of a complex functional human neovasculature. In this study, we investigated the effect of HUVEC coimplantation on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated bone regeneration in an orthotopic calvarial bone defect model in immunocompromised mice. For this purpose, human fibrin/Matrigel-immobilized HUVECs and MSCs were seeded alone or in combination into scaffolds consisting of decalcified processed bovine cancellous bone (Tutobone) and implanted into calvarial critical-sized defects. Our results show that implanted HUVECs formed complex three-dimensional networks of perfused human neovessels that were stabilized by recruiting perivascular cells. Neovessel formation was considerably higher in the coimplantation group, suggesting that implanted MSCs supported HUVEC-triggered neovascularization. In addition, implanted MSCs effectively supported bone formation in calvarial defects. However, the HUVEC-derived neovasculature did not improve MSC-triggered bone regeneration in this orthotopic critical-sized defect model.

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The purpose of this review is to highlight recent nanotechnological developments for remineralization of incipient caries lesions as well as biomimetic strategies for enamel synthesis based on the application of nanotechnology. Analysis of in vitro data indicates that apatite nanoparticles might be effective in reversing lesion progression in the outer but not in the deeper part of early caries lesions. To control caries-induced demineralization, investigators have developed calcium and phosphate or fluoride ion-releasing nanofillers, enabling resin composites to release ions, if the pH decreases under in vitro conditions. Extensive in vitro investigations of apatite crystallization have been performed to mimic the hierarchical topology of natural enamel. Strategies for formation of highly organized biomineralized structures include oriented aggregation of nanocrystallites or the assembly of apatite nanoparticles mediated by organic scaffolds. Despite all these promising in vitro experiments, the effectiveness of such strategies for the control of demineralization processes as well as for caries therapy still needs validation by clinical studies.

This new approach of radiographically assessing circumferential periodontal bone level using CBCT data shows a first promising attempt of accurate detection of periodontal bony defects. Yet, possible negative impact of further clinical parameters in terms of artifact occurrence will have to be furthermore carefully investigated.

The results of this study suggest a high reliability in the diagnosis of urinary bladder cancer by MR imaging-based virtual cystoscopy-a noninvasive method, independent of medication or contrast enhancement, that may be of value for screening, primary diagnosis, and surveillance. Virtual MR cystoscopy may be indicated when conventional cystoscopy cannot be performed or is ineffective.

Purpose:To demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with near-real-time temporal resolution ("real-time MRI") for analyzing the velopharyngeal closure in comparison with multiview videofluoroscopy. Materials and Methods:Seven patients (three females and four males, 5-21 years old, mean age ϭ 11.3 years) with suspected velopharyngeal insufficiency, and one healthy volunteer were examined with videofluoroscopy and real-time MRI using a turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequence (TR ϭ 170 msec, TE ϭ 21 msec, slice thickness ϭ 6 mm, six images per second). Imaging was done during phonation in all three image planes. The results were analyzed by two radiologists in comparison with videofluoroscopy as the standard of reference for overall image quality and the pattern of velopharyngeal closure.Results: Real-time MRI correctly depicted the pattern of velopharyngeal closure in correspondence to videofluoroscopy in all cases. Concerning the movement of the pharyngeal walls, real-time MRI falsely depicted a general movement of the dorsal pharyngeal wall in one case, whereas videofluoroscopy showed no movement. In one patient, real-time MRI provided additional information by showing an asymmetric movement of the lateral pharyngeal walls that could not be depicted by videofluoroscopy due to technical limitations. Concerning image quality, the coronal plane was more difficult to evaluate with real-time MRI compared to videofluoroscopy. The axial plane was easier to analyze in real-time MRI compared to videofluoroscopy. Conclusion:Real-time MRI has the potential to depict the pattern of velopharyngeal closure in close correlation with videofluoroscopy, and may deliver additional information in selected cases.