Ameloblastoma, a benign yet aggressive odontogenic tumor known for its recurrence and the severe morbidity from radical surgeries, may benefit from advancements in targeted therapy. We present a case of a 15-year-old girl with ameloblastoma successfully treated with targeted therapy and review the literature with this question: Is anti-MAPK targeted therapy safe and effective for treating ameloblastoma? This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO, adhered to PRISMA guidelines, and searched multiple databases up to December 2023, identifying 13 relevant studies out of 647 records, covering 23 patients treated with MAPK inhibitor therapies. The results were promising as nearly all patients showed a positive treatment response, with four achieving complete radiological remission and others showing substantial reductions in primary, recurrent, and metastatic ameloblastoma sizes. Side effects were mostly mild to moderate. This study presents anti-MAPK therapy as a significant shift from invasive surgical treatments, potentially enhancing life quality and clinical outcomes by offering a less invasive yet effective treatment alternative. This approach could signify a breakthrough in managing this challenging tumor, emphasizing the need for further research into molecular-targeted therapies.
7 March 2024 in Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Aims: Primary chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis is a rare and complex pathology and remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Our aim is to show our experience with a new diagnostic tool. Material and Methods: Four patients aged from 26 to 67 were referred to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of University Hospital CHUV in Lausanne between January 2010 and December 2018 for chronic mandibular pain without infectious signs nor symptoms. All patients underwent three-phase bone scintigraphy and anti-granulocyte antibody scintigraphy. Results: Three-phase bone scintigraphy demonstrated radiotracer uptake at the zone of pain, whereas anti-granulocyte antibody scintigraphy showed no uptake, thus rendering an infectious origin unlikely. Conclusion: A combination of the two different scintigraphies should be considered in order to guide the clinician in the diagnosis of primary chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis, thus preventing patients from undergoing unnecessary imagery and useless treatment, and also allowing an early diagnosis.