Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are the seventh most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 4–5% of all malignancies. Salivary metabolites, which serve as key metabolic intermediates and cell-signalling molecules, are emerging as potential diagnostic biomarkers for HNC. While current research has largely concentrated on these metabolites as biomarkers, a critical gap remains in understanding their fluctuations before and after treatment, as well as their involvement in oral side effects. Recent studies emphasise the role of the oral microbiome and its metabolic activity in cancer progression and treatment efficacy by bacterial metabolites and virulence factors. Oral bacteria, such as P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, contribute to a pro-inflammatory environment that promotes tumour growth. Additionally, F. nucleatum enhances its virulence through flagellar assembly and iron transport mechanisms, facilitating tumour invasion and survival. Moreover, alterations in the oral microbiome can influence chemotherapy efficacy and toxicity through the microbiota–host irinotecan axis, highlighting the complex interplay between microbial communities and therapeutic outcomes. Salivary metabolite profiles are influenced by factors such as gender, methods, and patient habits like smoking—a major risk factor for HNC. Radiotherapy (RT), a key treatment for HNC, often causes side effects such as xerostomia, oral mucositis, and swallowing difficulties which impact survivors’ quality of life. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) aims to improve treatment outcomes and minimise side effects but can still lead to significant salivary gland dysfunction and associated complications. This review underscores the microbial and host interactions affecting salivary metabolites and their implications for cancer treatment and patient outcomes.

Purpose: In recent years, the use of digital platforms for surgical and medical training has increased. Quality feedback is essential when using these methodologies, as it serves as the primary form of interaction between trainers and students. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate feedback using valid and reliable instruments. This scoping review aims to identify assessment tools available in the literature for evaluating feedback in medical education. Materials: A scoping review was conducted between April and May 2022, using the databases Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, ERIC, and the Cochrane Library. No publication date limits were used, and English and Spanish were the included languages. The search was supported by the State-of-the-Art-through-Systematic-Review (StArt) software. Two reviewers selected articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Inclusion criteria were tools or instruments in medical education related to feedback, while tools unrelated to feedback assessment or inaccessibility were excluded. Items were organized to have an overview of the findings. Results: From the initial 16,229 articles, 26 feedback quality assessment instruments were found, including the CME Faculty Assessment Instrument, DOCS-FBS, EFFECT instrument, EFFECT-S, EFeCT, Feedback Questionnaire, FEEDME-Feedback culture, FEEDME-Feedback provider, PACT, Quality of the feedback perceived by students, SETQ for Surgical Specialties, StudentPEP project evaluation questionnaire, IQ Instrument, and 13 others without specific names. None was exclusively developed for digital feedback. Conclusion: Limited evidence exists on feedback evaluation tools, especially in digital contexts. The identified instruments highlight opportunities for further research and development of feedback tools appropriate for remote and asynchronous surgical training.

El queratoquiste odontogénico es una entidad quística benigna de los huesos maxilares. Entre los quistes clasificados por la organización mundial de la salud, es el más estudiado debido a su comportamiento localmente agresivo y elevada tasa de recidiva. Mutaciones en el gen patched1 se ha relacionado al desarrollo, crecimiento, progresión y recidiva de la entidad debido a la activación de la vía canónica de señalización Sonic Hedgehog, vía implicada en la patogénesis de distintos tipos de cáncer. En este articulo analizamos las características clínicas del queratoquiste odontogénico, la patogénesis molecular implicada en el desarrollo de la lesión mediante la activación de la via de señalización Sonic Hedgehog, y dianas farmacológicas impulsadas por mecanismos específicos dirigidas a la inhibición de dicha via.

Introducción: La fascitis necrotizante (FN) en una enfermedad severa y agresiva, de rápida progresión y asociada con enfermedades sistémicas. Su presentación es rara en la región de cabeza y cuello. Materiales y método: Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 69 años con diabetes mellitus no controlada, que acude a urgencias por un cuadro de 3 días de evolución, caracterizado por dolor molar derecho con posterior aumento de volumen facial derecho y celulitis periorbitaria. El cuadro mostró una evolución cíclica influenciada por las comorbilidades existentes, por lo que el paciente fue sometido a tratamiento tanto quirúrgico como médico por un equipo multidisciplinario. Adicionalmente realizamos una revisión de la literatura sobre la FN. Resultados: Los resultados de supervivencia del paciente fueron favorables; sin embargo, las secuelas fueron incapacitantes tanto estética como funcionalmente. La revisión de la literatura reveló la rareza de tales casos y las peculiaridades del caso presentado, en comparación con los reportados en la literatura hasta el momento. Conclusiones: Un diagnóstico temprano a partir de sus manifestaciones clínicas y estudios complementarios puede llevar a un correcto manejo de la enfermedad.

Introduction: Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a severe and aggressive disease with rapid progression associated with systemic diseases, its presentation is rare in the head and neck region. Materials and Methods: We present the case of a 69-year-old patient who consulted urgently for a 3-day history characterized by right molar pain with subsequent increase in right facial volume and periorbital cellulitis, with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. The condition showed a cyclical evolution influenced by existing comorbidities, with the patient undergoing both surgical and medical treatment with a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, we carried out a review of the literature on FN. Results: The patient's survival outcomes were favorable; However, the consequences were disabling both aesthetically and functionally. The literature review revealed the rarity of such cases and the peculiarities of the presented case compared to those reported in the literature so far. Conclusions: An early diagnosis based on its clinical manifestations and complementary studies can lead to correct management of the disease. Keywords: Fascitis, Necrotizing, Facial, Diagnosis, Treatment.