Adult mammalian brains undergo reorganization following deafferentations due to peripheral nerve, cortical or spinal cord injuries. The largest extent of cortical reorganization is seen in area 3b of the somatosensory cortex of monkeys with chronic transection of the dorsal roots or dorsal columns of the spinal cord. These injuries cause expansion of intact face inputs into the deafferented hand cortex, resulting in a change of representational boundaries by more than 7 mm. Here we show that large-scale reorganization in area 3b following spinal cord injuries is due to changes at the level of the brainstem nuclei and not due to cortical mechanisms. Selective inactivation of the reorganized cuneate nucleus of the brainstem eliminates observed face expansion in area 3b. Thus, the substrate for the observed expanded face representation in area 3b lies in the cuneate nucleus.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a distinctive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) characterised by nests of basaloid cells. BSCC is an aggressive and rare tumor of head and neck region; and is relatively rare in oral cavity in comparison to SCC. Although, infrequent, but primary intra-osseous SCC (PIOSCC) has been reported in the jaws. There are separate diagnostic criteria for this lesion and a classification for primary intra-osseous carcinoma has been described. No evidence was found in the published literature about primary intra-osseous BSCC (PIOBSCC). We, herein, present a case of giant osteodestructive lesion of the posterior mandible which was diagnosed as PIOBSCC with a correlation of histopathological and immunohistochemical features. As per the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of PIOBSCC of the jaw. There is no diagnostic criterion of PIOBSCC in the literature owing to the extreme rarity of this tumor. A diagnostic criterion is proposed here to make the diagnosis of this tumor easier.

Central Giant Cell Granuloma (CGCG) is a benign tumor of jaw. As compared to males, females are more commonly affected. Mandible is the common site of occurrence. Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are cystic lesions which are expansile osteolytic blood-filled lesions. These are commonly seen in the mandible, and they also show gender-predilection towards females. Concurrence of both the lesions is rarely reported. The treatment of both CGCG and ABC depends upon the extent of the lesions as well as on their nature. Due to aggressive nature of the lesions, these usually cause disfigurement of the patients' face. Wide excision is the treatment modality for aggressive lesions to avoid recurrence. We present a case of 28-year male who showed CGCG along with ABC in the same lesion, a rare concurrence.

Background:In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) expression has been noted in the cell membrane throughout the epithelium of the lesion, suggesting its increased expression.Objectives:The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the expression of EMMPRIN in the normal oral mucosa (NOM), different histological grades of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and OSCC.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of NOM (n = 10), 20 cases each of mild, moderate and severe (OED) (n = 60), and 10 cases each of well differentiated, moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated carcinomas (n = 30) were included in the study. The tissues sections were immunohistochemically stained and were evaluated for intensity and area of expression in different groups.Results:Out of 60 cases of OED, 29 (48%) cases showed intense dark brown staining in the epithelium. The stroma in 38 (63%) cases showed positive immunoexpression. The expression of EMMPRIN in OSCC revealed intense dark brown staining in 9 (90%) cases of well differentiated, and a decent thereon in 8 (80%) cases of moderately differentiated and 4 (40%) cases of poorly differentiated carcinomas.Conclusion:The role of EMMPRIN in precarcinogenesis and early carcinogenesis needs to be studied on considerable sample size. This can enable oncologists to detect cancer at an early stage before it progresses to malignancy.

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Background:Lipomas are benign mesenchymal tumors of soft tissue that can be found anywhere in the body: However their presence in oral cavity is very rare (4.4%). Histopathologically lipomas are classified as simple lipomas and different variants. The present study describes the prevalence of oral lipomas with relation to patient's age, their site of occurrence and histological pattern in Indian population. Methods: All cases of oral lipomas reported in the department of oral pathology and microbiology, N.I.M.S dental college Jaipur (India) from 2005 to 2017 for age, gender, site of occurrence, histopathological pattern and treatment mode were reviewed. The published case reports of oral lipomas reported in Indian patients from 1976 -2017 also reviewed through pubmed by using MeSH word; oral lipoma and combined the data with the data of present study to analyze the prevalence and histopathological characteristic of oral lipomas in Indian population. Results: Total of 23 (14 males and 9 females) cases included in the study. The mean age was 34.3 years (range 17 -71). The specific sites involved were buccal mucosa (n = 9) Tongue (n = 5) buccal vestibule (n = 2) Lip (n -= 3) Floor of mouth (n = 1), palate (n = 2) and retro molar pad (n = 1). Histopathological examination revealed 11 cases were diagnosed as simple lipoma, 6 cases were fibrolipoma, 2 cases were angiolipoma, 1 case each of osteolipoma, myxolioma, angiomyxolipoma and hibernoma. All cases treated with surgical excision only one case showed radiographical sign. This data was combined with the data of published cases (pubmed) of oral lipoma in Indian population. Conclusion: Oral lipomas are rare neoplasms of oral cavity; only 49 published cases have been found from 1976 -2017 in Indian population. Oral lipoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of oral soft tissue swelling. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for all such tumors.

Background: Pyogenic granuloma is an inflammatory hyperplasia occasionally observed in the oral cavity. The term pyogenic granuloma is a misnomer because it neither contains pus nor it is a granuloma histologically. Most commonly occurs in the second decade of life and females are more commonly affected. Trauma, calculus, pregnancy, hormonal factors are the common etiological factors associated. It appears as smooth or lobulated exophytic lesion, mostly pedunculated and bleeds on slight probing. The diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma should be confirmed by histopathology and treatment of choice is surgical excision. Recurrence is not uncommon and mainly occurs due to incomplete excision and persisting etiology. Aim: This article presents four cases of oral pyogenic granuloma with literature review summarizing the existing knowledge of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of this non neoplastic lesion. Conclusion: Pyogenic granuloma occurs as mostly painless benign growth but causes great discomfort and fear of malignancy to the patient. Surgical excision and removal of etiological factors are the mainstay treatment. Clinical Significance: This article reiterates importance of correct diagnosis and treatment planning in common oral lesions such as pyogenic granuloma. Histopathological examination of the excised lesion can help in definitive diagnosis. Pyogenic granuloma bleeds profusely and hence adequate hemostatic measures should be employed during and after the surgery.

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