The beneficial effect of autologous blood products in the post-extraction period has been proven regarding acceleration of soft tissue healing, pain reduction, swelling and trismus, but data concerning bone healing are contradictory. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-PRF on bone tissue healing after third mandibular molar extraction. Extractions of bilateral, symmetrical, impacted mandibular molars were performed in 30 patients, in a prospective split-mouth, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. L-PRF was applied to one alveolus, while the other alveolus was left to heal spontaneously. A sample of 60 extraction alveoli (the control and experimental groups, with 30 alveoli each) was analyzed. Two CBCT images were performed immediately after the surgery and eight weeks postoperatively to reconstruct the healing site and analyze the volume of the extraction defect and bone density. The depth of the periodontal pocket on the adjacent tooth was clinically measured 7 days and 8 weeks after extraction. The results show that the minimum and maximum values of the monitored parameters in the alveoli in both the control and experimental groups are within the expected range. Based on p = 0.826 (MANOVA; for I measurement) and p = 0.499 (MANOVA; for II measurement), it was concluded that no significant difference and clearly defined boundary between the groups were observed. Considering that p > 0.1 (VOL, bone density, periodontal pocket) is for both I and II measurement, no significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the wound volume, bone density and periodontal pocket.

Introduction: Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a rare type of cancer in which more than 50% of the tumor is composed of extracellular mucin and malignant epithelial cells. MACs account for only 1.8% of all breast cancer cases. Most breast cancers present as localized diseases and are well-differentiated. Breast MAC has a better 5- and 10-year survival rate than ductal and lobular carcinomas. Distant metastasis in breast MAC is rare, especially in the oral cavity. Only 1% of all oral malignancies present with metastases to the oral cavity. The bony structures are more involved than the soft tissues. Involvement of the oral soft tissue is rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of oral metastases. Case description: This report describes a rare case of mucinous breast adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the mandibular molar region. Diagnosis was established based on anamnesis, clinical presentation, tumor biopsy, computed tomography, mammography, and core biopsy of the breast tumor. The patient was sent to the oncology committee for breast disease where chemotherapy was indicated. Discussion: The clinical presentation of oral metastasis is not pathognomonic, and pyogenic granuloma, periodontal abscesses, sarcomas, and squamous carcinoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is a rare case of oral metastasis of breast MAC, which was indicated for detection of the primary tumor.

Introduction. Evaluation of the prognostic factors and the survival rate in oral squamous cell carcinoma is extremely important, because patients in the same tumor-node-metastasis stage may have a different survival rate. Numerous studies have been conducted on various clinical and pathological prognostic factors in order to develop a prognostic model for the survival rate of patients with oral cancer. Material and Methods. The study was designed as a prospective study including 65 consecutive patients (n = 65) of both sexes who underwent surgical treatment of oral cancer. The diagnosis of oral cancer was based on the medical history, physical examination, and biopsy. The clinical tumor-node-metastasis staging was determined based on clinical examination. The radiological tumor-node-metastasis staging was done by computed tomography of the head, neck, and chest. The tumor thickness was determined by computed tomography and histopathological analysis of surgical specimens. Results. The histopathological analysis showed a mean tumor thickness of 13.446 mm, while the mean computed tomography tumor thickness was 15.2707 mm. The correlation between computed tomography tumor thickness and histopathological tumor thickness was moderately significant (Spearman’s rho = .581, p = 0.000). Conclusion. This study supports the use of computed tomography in the determination of tumor thickness in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. We want to emphasize the importance of preoperative, detailed imaging evaluation of patients in order to avoid multiple surgical procedures, significant morbidity, and unnecessary costs.

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures are among the most common midfacial injuries, with significant implications for both function and facial esthetics. Optimal management requires restoring the normal anatomical alignment and symmetry of the zygomatic region to prevent long-term deformity and functional deficits. However, the decision-making surrounding surgical intervention, particularly in isolated ZMC fractures with moderate displacement, remains nuanced. This review discusses contemporary surgical approaches for isolated ZMC fractures and examines how objective morphometric analysis can guide critical decisions such as the timing of surgery, choice of surgical approach, and extent of fixation. Conventional assessment tools like computed tomography (CT), cephalometric measurements, and intraoperative imaging provide foundational data on fracture anatomy. Emerging technologies, including three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry, stereophotogrammetry, artificial intelligence (AI)-based symmetry analysis, and surgical navigation systems, offer advanced means to quantify facial symmetry and bone alignment. By integrating these objective metrics into clinical practice, surgeons can enhance preoperative planning and postoperative outcome evaluation, with a particular focus on achieving facial symmetry for optimal esthetic and functional results. We also outline clinical decision-making frameworks that incorporate quantitative measurements, and we discuss current limitations, future directions, and the potential for standardizing protocols in the management of ZMC fractures.

Background/Aim. Despite all innovations in medicine, melanoma still has a rising incidence and high mortality and thus represents a significant challenge for the healthcare system. The pandemic of the coronavirus dis-ease 2019 (COVID-19), spanning three years, redirected healthcare resources, suspended preventive programs, and strained the healthcare system, significantly impacting melanoma management. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of melanoma patients. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed melanoma patients treated at a single tertiary care center over two distinct three-year periods: pre-COVID period (2017?2020) and the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020?2022). The following data were collected and compared: patient demographics, melanoma characteristics, time intervals from biopsy to surgery, and the share of thin and thick melanoma. Results. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, there was a 3 0% reduction in melanoma patients compared to the pre-COVID- 19 period. The decline was most pronounced in 2020 when the state of emergency was introduced in the country. Thin melanoma percentage as a measurement of successful screening programs decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic (11.57% vs. 24.01%), while median Breslow thickness remained stable. The distribution of different histological types was consistent across both periods. The average time from biopsy to surgery remained similar between the two periods, around 40 days. Conclusion. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, melanoma remains a critical healthcare issue. This study emphasized the significance of prioritizing melanoma care in emergencies, ensuring patient identification and timely treatment in order to optimize survival and minimize treatment costs.

(1) Background: During the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is necessary to scan the joints in the closed- and open-jaw position, as well as in the maximally open-jaw position. In order to examine both joints in these positions, an MRI compatible mouth opener is required, which allows the articular surfaces to maintain their position stably. (2) Methods: In this study, we included 200 patients aged 18 to 65, with various levels of clinical severity. The mouth opener is made of polymethyl methacrylate and used for dynamic imaging of TMJ. It is in the form of an arrow, with incisures on upper and lower surfaces 1 mm apart and these match possible variations in jaw opening. All the patients were scanned with mouth opener and, immediately after this scanning, with syringe (20 ccm) as a standard device used for mouth opening in clinical setting. (3) Results: A total of 200 MR examinations of TMJs were performed and the mechanical mouth opener was successfully applied without artifacts in all patients. The mouth opener device proved to be adequate in case of MRI of the TMJ for different ranges of mouth opening with the proper protocol for provoked imaging, because the incisures are located at a distance of 1 mm and no objective artifacts were observed in any examination that degraded the diagnostic quality of the examination. (4) Conclusions: The design of the acrylate mouth opener is precisely defined, and it has a purpose in the MRI diagnosis of TMJ disorders.