Clinicopathological correlation of oral candidiasis - Our experience in a tertiary centre over two decades

INTRODUCTION

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections that has been widely reported around the world. In Malaysia, the available studies for this infection are scarce.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a 20-year retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence, demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, and the association of oral candidiasis with clinical parameters in oral candidiasis cases reported in the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya from 1999 until 2019. A total of 12,964 histopathological records from the Oral Pathology Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (OPDRL) between 1999 to 2019 were retrieved. Oral candidiasis cases were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information of interest was obtained and analysed.

RESULTS

From the total records retrieved, 378 oral candidiasis cases were recorded and 82.8% were diagnosed from smear test. This study showed that oral candidiasis was predominantly reported in female (64.2%) and Indian population (64.2%). The peak incidence was in the sixth decades of life (27.0%). The most commonly affected site was tongue and coated tongue was the most common clinical presentation. More than 50% of the cases had comorbidity and 10.6% were associated with dentures. Ethnicity and site of occurrence were significantly associated (p<0.05) with oral candidiasis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first large-scale study of oral candidiasis cases in Malaysia. The findings of this study are useful for clinical assessment of patients suspected of oral candidiasis.

High referral accuracy for oral cancers and oral potentially malignant disorders using telemedicine

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of MeMoSA®, a mobile phone application to review images of oral lesions in identifying oral cancers and oral potentially malignant disorders requiring referral.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A prospective study of 355 participants, including 280 with oral lesions/variants was conducted. Adults aged ≥18 treated at tertiary referral centres were included. Images of the oral cavity were taken using MeMoSA®. The identification of the presence of lesion/variant and referral decision made using MeMoSA® were compared to clinical oral examination, using kappa statistics for intra-rater agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, concordance and F1 score were computed. Images were reviewed by an off-site specialist and inter-rater agreement was evaluated. Images from sequential clinical visits were compared to evaluate observable changes in the lesions.

RESULTS

Kappa values comparing MeMoSA® with clinical oral examination in detecting a lesion and referral decision was 0.604 and 0.892, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for referral decision were 94.0% and 95.5%. Concordance and F1 score were 94.9% and 93.3%, respectively. Inter-rater agreement for a referral decision was 0.825. Progression or regression of lesions were systematically documented using MeMoSA®.

CONCLUSION

Referral decisions made through MeMoSA® is highly comparable to clinical examination demonstrating it is a reliable telemedicine tool to facilitate the identification of high-risk lesions for early management.

A Narrative Review on Means to Promote Oxygenation and Angiogenesis in Oral Wound Healing

Oral mucosa serves as the primary barrier against pathogen invasions, mechanical stresses, and physical trauma. Although it is generally composed of keratinocytes and held in place by desmosomes, it shows variation in tissue elasticity and surface keratinization at different sites of the oral cavity. Wound healing undergoes four stages of tissue change sequences, namely haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. The wound healing of oral hard tissue and soft tissue is largely dependent on the inflammatory response and vascular response, which are the targets of many research. Because of a less-robust inflammatory response, favourable saliva properties, a unique oral environment, and the presence of mesenchymal stem cells, oral wounds are reported to demonstrate rapid healing, less scar formation, and fewer inflammatory reactions. However, delayed oral wound healing is a major concern in certain populations with autoimmune disorders or underlying medical issues, or those subjected to surgically inflicted injuries. Various means of approach have been adopted to improve wound tissue proliferation without causing excessive scarring. This narrative review reappraises the current literature on the use of light, sound, mechanical, biological, and chemical means to enhance oxygen delivery to wounds. The current literature includes the use of hyperbaric oxygen and topical oxygen therapy, ultrasounds, lasers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)/platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and various chemical agents such as hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, and Centella asiatica to promote angiogenesis in oral wound healing during the proliferation process. The arrival of a proprietary oral gel that is reported to improve oxygenation is highlighted.

Zymogen-poor acinic cell carcinoma of the soft palate with high-grade transformation

Acinic cell carcinoma is an uncommon malignant salivary gland tumour accounting for approximately 6-7% of all salivary gland neoplasms. The key diagnostic feature of acinic cell carcinoma is the presence of acinar cell differentiation characterised by cytoplasmic zymogen secretory granules. This tumour shows a variety of growth patterns, including solid, microcystic, follicular and papillary cystic patterns. Acinic cell carcinoma is typically a cytologically low-grade malignancy. Acinic cell carcinomas with high-grade transformation (HGT) are exceedingly rare and are reported to have a more aggressive clinical course than conventional acinic cell carcinoma. This is a case report of this uncommon entity with high-grade transformation arising on the soft palate in a 64-year-old woman.

Association of clinicopathological factors and treatment modalities in the recurrence of ameloblastoma: Analysis of 624 cases

BACKGROUND

Ameloblastoma is an odontogenic tumour exhibiting locally invasive behaviour and high recurrence rate after treatment. Conventional ameloblastoma is reportedly been more aggressive showing infiltrative growth patterns and a tendency for recurrence. This is a retrospective study performed to analyse the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and treatment modalities in the recurrence of ameloblastoma.

METHODS

624 cases of ameloblastoma comprising of 519 non-recurrent ameloblastoma and 105 recurrent ameloblastoma from two main diagnostic centres in Malaysia and Sri Lanka were included. The demographic data, clinical characteristics, histopathological data, treatment modality and episodes of recurrence were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

The mean age for recurrent ameloblastoma was 37.23 with a peak occurrence in the third decade of life. Recurrent ameloblastoma was marginally female predominant with male to female ratio of 1:1.3. Mandible was the commonest site for the recurrence with a predilection for more than two segments of left mandible followed by left posterior mandible. Follicular (58.1%) histopathological variant was the most reported type to recur followed by plexiform (17.1%). 49.5% of recurrent cases were treated with conservative approach. 65.7% of recurrent cases demonstrated a single episode of recurrence. Mixed (follicular and plexiform) histopathological variants showed the longest average years (11.5 years) for the single episode of recurrence. Plexiform ameloblastoma treated with conservative approach recurred in the shortest follow-up period. The recurrence of ameloblastoma was significantly associated with age group, sub-site of occurrence and histopathological variants (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that age, sub-site of occurrence and histopathological variants are significant factors responsible for the recurrence of ameloblastoma.

Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma - review of all published cases: is it a justifiable addition as a malignancy?

INTRODUCTION

Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma was a new addition to the list of head and neck tumors by World Health Organization in 2017. This lesion has scarcely been reported and a lack of pathognomonic markers for diagnosis exists.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to summarize findings from the available literature to provide up-to-date information on sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma and to analyse clinical, radiological, and histopathological features to obtain information for and against as an odontogenic malignancy.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive review of literature by searching Pubmed, EBSCO and Web of Science databases, according to PRISMA guidelines. All the cases reported as sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma in English were included. Data retrieved from the articles were gender, age, clinical features, site, relevant medical history, radiographical findings, histopathological findings, immunohistochemical findings, treatments provided and prognosis.

RESULTS

Mean age at diagnosis of sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma was 54.4 years with a very slight female predilection. Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma was commonly reported in the mandible as an expansile swelling which can be asymptomatic or associated with pain or paraesthesia. They appeared radiolucent with cortical resorption in radiograph evaluation. Histologically, sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma was composed of epithelioid cells in dense, fibrous, or sclerotic stroma with equivocal perineural invasion. Mild cellular atypia and inconspicuous mitotic activity were observed. There is no specific immunohistochemical marker for sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma. AE1/AE3, CK 5/6, CK 14, CK19, p63 and E-cadherin were the widely expressed markers for sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma. Surgical resection was the main treatment provided with no recurrence in most cases. No cases of metastasis were reported.

CONCLUSION

From the literature available, sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma is justifiable as a malignant tumor with no or unknown metastatic potential which can be adequately treated with surgical resection. However, there is insufficient evidence for histological grading or degree of malignancy of this tumor.

Coronoid hyperplasia: A review

Coronoid hyperplasia is one of the rare causes of progressive limitation of mouth opening due to impingement of the enlarged coronoid process of the mandible on the zygomatic bone. A review was performed on all cases reports and case series on coronoid hyperplasia. Gender, age at treatment, age of onset, types of hyperplasia (unilateral/bilateral), associated history, treatment, surgical approach, preoperative mouth opening, intraoperative mouth opening, mouth opening at follow up and follow up period were recorded and analyzed. A total of 82 articles which reported 115 cases were included. Coronoid hyperplasia was commonly reported at mean age of 22.64 years old with male preponderance. Most of the cases were diagnosed and treated between the age of 11-20 years old. This condition commonly involved bilateral coronoid process of mandible. The mean width of preoperative mouth opening was 16.5mm and was improved to a mean mouth opening of 36.3mm intraoperatively. Mean mouth opening was 34.8mm at an average follow up of 19 months. While the etiopathogenesis of coronoid hyperplasia is still not conclusive, treatment with either coronoidectomy or coronoidotomy produced good improvement in mouth opening.

Parenchyma-stromal interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6 overexpressions in ameloblastoma correlate with the aggressive phenotype

INTRODUCTION

Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive odontogenic epithelial neoplasm with a high recurrence rate after treatment. The two main subsets encountered clinically are unicystic (UA) and solid/multicystic ameloblastoma (SMA). Currently neoplastic progression of many tumour types are believed to be related to parenchyma-stromal cell-cell interactions mediated by cytokines notably interleukins (IL). However their roles in ameloblastoma remain ill-understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded ameloblastoma cases comprising unicystic ameloblastoma (n=19) and solid/multicystic ameloblastoma (n=20) were subjected to IHC staining for IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. A semi-quantitative method was used to evaluate the expression levels of these cytokines according to cell types in the tumoural parenchyma and stroma.

RESULTS

Major findings were upregulations of IL-1α and IL-6 in SMA compared to UA. Both cytokines were heterogeneously detected in the tumoural parenchyma and stroma. Within the neoplastic epithelial compartment, IL-1α expression was more frequently detected in PA-like cells in UA whereas it was more frequently encountered in SR-like cells in SMA. IL-6 demonstrated higher expression levels in the stromal compartment of SMA. IL-1β and IL-8 were markedly underexpressed in both tumour subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of IL-1α in SMA suggests that this growth factor might play a role in promoting bone resorption and local invasiveness in this subtype. The expression levels of IL-1α and IL-6 in three cellular localizations indicate that parenchymal-stromal components of ameloblastoma interact reciprocally via IL-1α and IL-6 to create a microenvironment conducive for tumour progression.

Randomized controlled trial of standard versus high-dose intravenous omeprazole after endoscopic therapy in high-risk patients with acute peptic ulcer bleeding

Background

Rebleeding from peptic ulcers is a major contributor to death. This study compared standard (40-mg intravenous infusion of omeprazole once daily for 3 days) and high-dose (80-mg bolus of omeprazole followed by 8-mg/h infusion for 72 h) in reducing the rebleeding rate (primary endpoint), need for surgery, duration of hospital stay and mortality in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic therapy.

Methods

This was a single-institution prospective randomized controlled study based on a postulated therapeutic equivalence of the two treatments. All patients who had successful endoscopic haemostasis of a bleeding peptic ulcer (Forrest classification Ia, Ib, IIa or IIb) were recruited. Informed consent was obtained and patients were randomized to receive standard- or high-dose infusions of intravenous omeprazole.

Results

Two (3 per cent) of 61 patients in the high-dose group and ten (16 per cent) of 61 in the standard-dose group exhibited rebleeding, a difference of − 13 (95 per cent confidence interval − 25 to − 2) per cent. The upper limit of the one-sided confidence interval exceeded a predefined equivalence absolute difference of 16 per cent. Equivalence of standard- and high-dose omeprazole in preventing rebleeding was not demonstrated.

Conclusion

Intravenous standard-dose omeprazole was inferior to high-dose omeprazole in preventing rebleeding after endoscopic haemostasis for peptic ulcer bleeding. Registration number: NCT00519519 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a collective experience of four teaching hospitals and results of repair

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed in Singapore since 1990 and, up until the end of 1997, a total of 4445 procedures had been performed in the four major teaching hospitals. Although bile duct injuries were thought to have increased following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there have been no reviews done on the incidence of these injuries in the Singapore context.

METHODS

The present retrospective review aimed to audit the rate of bile duct injuries in the four major teaching hospitals in Singapore and to document the results of management of these injuries.

RESULTS

Of the 4445 procedures performed, there were 19 (0.43%) cases of bile duct injuries. These involved the common hepatic duct (n = 8), common bile duct (n = 10), and the right hepatic duct (n = 1). The underlying gall bladder pathology included non-inflamed gall bladders (n = 10), acute cholecystitis (n = 4), Mirrizzi's syndrome (n = 3) and mucocele of the gall bladder (n = 2). Transection of the duct accounted for the majority of the injuries. Eleven bile duct injuries were identified at the time of operation. These were primarily repaired over a T tube (n = 4) or by a bilio-enteric bypass (n = 7). The remainder were diagnosed at a median of 7 days (range: 1-556 days) after surgery with a presentation of jaundice or pain. These were repaired by bilio-enteric anastomosis (n = 7) and closure over a T tube (n = 1). Three patients developed strictures subsequently, two following bilio-enteric repair after delayed diagnosis and one following immediate primary repair over a T tube. One patient developed intrahepatic stones and required a left lateral segmentectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience of a 0.43% bile duct injury rate is comparable to the best results from most large series in the West. Inflammation at Calot's triangle is an important associated factor for injury. Early recognition and prompt repair affords good results, and hepaticojejunostomy is recommended as the repair of choice.

Early postoperative results of a prospective series of laparoscopic vs. Open anterior resections for rectosigmoid cancers

PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to compare postoperatively laparoscopic (LAR) with open (OAR) anterior resection in patients with rectosigmoid cancers.

METHODS

Forty consecutive patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients (9 males) were allocated to LAR and 20 patients (6 males) to OAR.

RESULTS

Median age in the LAR group was 62 (range, 39-77) years, and in the OAR group, it was 61 (range, 43-84) years (P = 0.9). Median lengths of the distal margin of clearance beyond the tumor were 4 (range, 2-8) cm and 4.5 (range, 3-7.5) cm in the LAR and OAR groups, respectively (P = 0.35). Median numbers of lymph nodes harvested were 20 (range, 7-49) and 19 (range, 7-97) for the LAR and OAR groups, respectively (P = 0.44). Median operating times were 90 (range, 55-185) minutes and 73 (range, 40-140) minutes in the LAR and OAR groups, respectively (P = 0.08). Blood losses were 50 (range, 50-800) ml and 50 (range, 50-1,500) ml in the LAR and OAR groups, respectively. There was no intraoperative complication in either group, and no laparoscopic patient was converted to an open procedure. Median length of extraction site incision in the LAR group was 5.5 (4-13) cm, and length of incision in the OAR group was 18 (8-25) cm (P < 0.002).

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to duration of parenteral analgesia, starting of fluid and solid diet after surgery, or time to first bowel movement and time to discharge from the hospital.