No abstract

Background Ameloblastoma in 66% of the cases harbor a somatic mutation of the “mitogen-activated protein kinase” signaling pathway (BRAF V600E). In V600E mutations, BRAF is in the permanent “on” state and relays the growth-promoting signals independently of the EGFR pathway. Therefore, mutant BRAF represents a target for handful of new drugs. Methods We conducted a literature search, with the search terms “Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib, Ameloblastoma, and BRAF.” These included seven case reports with nine patients who underwent monotherapy with Dabrafenib or Vemurafenib or combination therapy with Dabrafenib and Trametinib. Results The patients age ranges from 10 years up to 86 years. The distribution of women and men is 4:5. Patients with an initial diagnosis of ameloblastoma, as well as recurrences or metastasized ameloblastoma were treated. Indications cover neoadjuvant therapy up to the use in metastasized patients in an irresectable state. Results ranging from “only” tumor size reduction to restitutio ad integrum. Conclusion We see the use of BRAF Inhibitors to reduce tumor size with consecutive surgical treatment as a reasonable option for therapy. However, we are aware that at present the data are based only on case reports with the longest follow-up of just 38 months. We encourage further clinical trials in the use of BRAF Inhibitors for selecting ameloblastoma patients in a multi-center setting.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) has been an integral part of the maxillofacial patient population for some time. The therapeutic concept ranges from conservative approaches over less extended decortications to major jaw resections, which can result in a considerable loss of quality of life. Based on three case reports, this paper presents the long-term history of patients with MRONJ of the mandible, whose disease ultimately resulted in partial or total mandibular resection and subsequent multisegmental reconstruction using a microvascular anastomosed bone flap. Furthermore, a suitable alternative for complex mandibular reconstruction is demonstrated when using a free fibula flap is not possible. The options are limited, particularly when multisegmental restoration of mandibular continuity is required. One case presents a mandible reconstruction using a CAD/CAM-guided bilateral scapular free flap (CAD/CAM = Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing), which has not been described for this purpose before. Due to the complexity, computer-assisted surgery and patient-specific implants seem reasonable, which is why a special focus was applied to this topic.

The primary aim was to evaluate the compliance of cranial CT indication with the national guideline-based decision rules in patients after mTBI. The secondary aim was to determine the incidence of CT pathologies among justified and unjustified CT scans and to investigate the diagnostic value of these decision rules. This is a retrospective, single-center study on 1837 patients (mean age = 70.7 years) referred to a clinic of oral and maxillofacial surgery following mTBI over a five-year period. The current national clinical decision rules and recommendations for mTBI were retrospectively applied to calculate the incidence of unjustified CT imaging. The intracranial pathologies among the justified and unjustified CT scans were presented using descriptive statistical analysis. The performance of the decision rules was ascertained by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. A total of 123 intracerebral lesions were radiologically detected in 102 (5.5%) of the study patients. Most (62.1%) of the CT scans strictly complied with the guideline recommendations, and 37.8% were not justified and likely avoidable. A significantly higher incidence of intracranial pathology was observed in patients with justified CT scans compared with patients with unjustified CT scans (7.9% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.0001). Patients with loss of consciousness, amnesia, seizures, cephalgia, somnolence, dizziness, nausea, and clinical signs of cranial fractures presented pathologic CT findings more frequently (p < 0.05). The decision rules identified CT pathologies with 92.28% sensitivity and 39.08% specificity. To conclude, compliance with the national decision rules for mTBI was low, and more than a third of the CT scans performed were identified as “likely avoidable”. A higher incidence of pathologic CT findings was detected in patients with justified cranial CT imaging. The investigated decision rules showed a high sensitivity but low specificity for predicting CT pathologies.

The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing the development of recurrence after the surgical treatment of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis in an oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic over a 7-year period. Demographic and anamnesis data, clinical and radiological findings, treatment and outcome were analyzed. A multivariable analysis was performed to find associations between patient age, causative focus, surgical access for sinus revision, multilayer closure with a buccal fat pad, inferior meatal antrostomy (IMA) for temporary sinus drainage and sinusitis recurrence. A total of 164 patients with a mean age of 51.7 years were included. Sinusitis recurrence was observed in nine patients (5.48%) within 6 months after primary surgery. No significant correlation was detected between patient age, causative focus, surgical access for sinus revision, multilayer closure with a buccal fat pad, IMA for sinus drainage and the development of recurrence (p > 0.05). Patients with a history of antiresorptive-related osteonecrosis of the jaw showed a significant tendency toward disease recurrence (p = 0.0375). In conclusion, except for antiresorptive administration, none of the investigated variables were related to a higher risk of sinusitis recurrence. We encourage a combined approach of intraoral removal of the infective focus and sinus drainage via FESS, as well as an individual treatment decision in a multidisciplinary setting with collaboration between dentistry, maxillofacial surgery and otorhinolaryngology to avoid sinusitis recurrence.

Background/Aim: Reconstruction of the fractured orbit remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare anatomical preformed titanium orbital implants with patient-specific CAD/CAM implants for precision and intraoperative applicability. Material and Methods: A total of 75 orbital reconstructions from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively assessed for their precision of implant position and intra- and postoperative revision rates. For this purpose, the implant position after digital orbital reconstruction was checked for deviations by mirroring the healthy orbit at 5 defined points, and the medical records of the patients were checked for revisions. Results: The evaluation of the 45 anatomical preformed orbital implant cases showed significantly higher deviations and an implant inaccuracy of 66.6% than the 30 CAD/CAM cases with only 10% inaccuracy. In particular, the CAD/CAM implants were significantly more precise in medial and posterior positioning. In addition, the intraoperative revision rates of 26.6% vs. 11% after 3D intraoperative imaging and the postoperative revision rates of 13% vs. 0 for the anatomical preformed implants were significantly higher than for patient-specific implants. Conclusion: We conclude that patient-specific CAD/CAM orbital implants are highly suitable for primary orbital reconstruction. These seem to be preferable to anatomical preformed implants in terms of precision and revision rates.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the incidence of a difficult airway and emergency tracheostomy in patients with orofacial infections originating in the mandible, and a secondary aim was to determine the potential predictors of difficult intubation. This retrospective single-center study included all patients who were referred between 2015 and 2022 with an orofacial infection originating in the mandible and who were surgically drained under intubation anesthesia. The incidence of a difficult airway regarding ventilation, laryngoscopy, and intubation was analyzed descriptively. Associations between potential influencing factors and difficult intubation were examined via multivariable analysis. A total of 361 patients (mean age: 47.7 years) were included in the analysis. A difficult airway was present in 121/361 (33.5%) patients. Difficult intubation was most common in patients with infections of the massetericomandibular space (42.6%), followed by infections of the mouth floor (40%) and pterygomandibular space (23.5%). Dyspnea and stridor were not associated with the localization of infection (p = 0.6486/p = 0.4418). Multivariable analysis revealed increased age, restricted mouth opening, higher Mallampati scores, and higher Cormack–Lehane classification grades as significant predictors of difficult intubation. Higher BMI, dysphagia, dyspnea, stridor and a non-palpable mandibular rim did not influence the airway management. Patients with a difficult airway were more likely to be admitted to the ICU after surgery than patients with regular airway were (p = 0.0001). To conclude, the incidence of a difficult airway was high in patients with orofacial infections originating in the mandible. Older age, limited mouth opening, a higher Mallampati score, and a higher Cormack–Lehane grade were reliable predictors of difficult intubation.

The aim of this study was to investigate how precisely implantation can be realized by participants on a phantom head according to preliminary planning. Of particular interest here was the influence of participants’ previous knowledge and surgical experience on the precision of the implant placement. The placed implants were scanned using an intraoral scanner, saved as STL files, and superimposed with the 3D-planned implant placement. Deviations from the planning were indicated in millimeters and degrees. We were able to show that on average, the deviations from computer-assisted 3D planning were less than 1 mm for implantologists, and the students also did not deviate more than 1.78 mm on average from 3D planning. This study shows that guided implantology provides predictable and reproducible results in dental implantology. Incorrect positioning, injuries to anatomical structures, and implant positions that cannot be prosthetically restored can thus be avoided.