Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant lesion with characteristic histologic features and behavior that dictates more aggressive surgical approach than that of a simple ameloblastoma. However, reliable evidence of its biologic activity is currently unavailable due to the scarcity of well-documented cases. It occurs primarily in the mandible in a wide range of age groups; no sex or race predilection has been noted. It may present as a cystic lesion with benign clinical features or as a large tissue mass with ulceration, significant bone resorption and tooth mobility. Because the lesion is usually found unexpectedly after an incisional biopsy or the removal of a cyst, a guide to differential diagnosis is not usually useful. The identifying features of ameloblastic carcinoma must be known and recognized by dental practitioners. The tumour cells resemble the cells seen in ameloblastoma, but they show cytologic atypia. Moreover, they lack the characteristic arrangement seen in ameloblastoma. Direct extensions of the tumour, lymph node involvement and metastasis to various sites (frequently the lung) have been reported. We present a case of ameloblastic carcinoma of the mandible with a clinical course of typical aggressiveness and extensive local destruction in a 27 year old male patient.

OSF may be associated with considerable psychological morbidity. This morbidity may be significantly more in patients with worst functional staging. It is difficult to determine whether this is the cause or effect of the disease. Further systematic studies are urgently needed to address this issue.

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which has become an established therapy for Crohn’s disease over the last 10 years. Given the similarities between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), it is no surprise that gastroenterologists have used infliximab in patients with UC who have failed other therapies. Although the initial controlled trials with infliximab in steroid-refractory disease were unimpressive, subsequent controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of infliximab in both moderate to severe disease, and as rescue-therapy to avoid colectomy. The long-term remission rates, colectomy-sparing effects, and the impact of concomitant immunomodulator therapy, remain to be determined in these patients. Whether infliximab is a superior strategy to cyclosporine in patients with steroid-refractory disease is controversial. This review examines the data on the efficacy and safety of infliximab as an induction and maintenance agent for UC.

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Congenital absence or rudiment major salivary glands, especially of the parotid glands, are a rare entity. Aplasia of parotid glands has been described alone or in association with abnormalities of other salivary glands, first branchial arch developmental disturbances and other congenital anomalies such as lacrimoauriculodentodigital syndrome, mandibulofacial dysostosis and ectodermal dysplasia. Absence is most commonly unilateral, and may be associated with accessory or rudimentary glandular tissue. There are several reported cases of isolated patulous Stensen's duct causing air insufflations in the glands and recurrent parotid gland enlargement. However, in the literature there is no reported case of association of rudimentary parotid gland with a patulous Stensen's duct. This paper aims at reporting an interesting and unusual presentation of unilateral imperfectly developed parotid gland with a distended Stensen's duct in a five year old mentally challenged girl who presented with an unintentional habit of blowing out cheeks several times in a day resulting in air insufflations and recurrent parotid swelling.