Abstract Objective: To evaluate alterations in the masticator space due to the dissemination of malignant neoplasms originating from the tonsillar fossa, retromolar trigone, maxillary sinus, or nasopharynx, using computed tomography (CT), as well as to correlate the presence of trismus with the CT findings and the dimensions of the tumor. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 65 patients with malignant tumors in the regions described. The images were analyzed by two physician examiners, working independently, who were blinded to the clinical data. In the evaluation of the masticator space, the following parameters were considered: symmetry with the contralateral space; obliteration of the fat plane, retromolar trigone, or pharyngeal space; edema/atrophy of the medial or lateral pterygoid muscles; and destruction of the mandibular ramus. Results: Obliteration of the fat plane was found in 69.2% of the patients. Asymmetry, edema/atrophy, and bone destruction were detected in 27.7%, 26.2%, and 20.0% of the patients, respectively. Trismus was identified in 15.4% of the patients. Of the patients with trismus, 90.0% had stage T4 tumors, compared with only 43.8% of those without trismus. Trismus was 11.6 times more common among the patients with stage T4 tumors than among those with lower-stage tumors. Neoplasms of the tonsillar fossa and retromolar trigone collectively accounted for 95.0% of the cases. The CT scans showed edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles in 60.0% of the patients with trismus and in 21.8% of those without. An association was observed between T4 tumor stage and edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles. In addition, the risk of trismus was 5.4 times higher among the patients with stage T4 tumors. Conclusion: In our patient sample, the most common finding was obliteration of the fat plane, followed by asymmetry and edema/atrophy. Most of the patients with T4 tumors had trismus, together with edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar, por meio de tomografia computadorizada, alterações do espaço mastigador (EM) decorrentes de disseminação de neoplasias malignas originárias da loja tonsilar, trígono retromolar, seio maxilar e nasofaringe, e correlacionar presença de trismo com achados tomográficos e dimensões do tumor. Materiais e Métodos: Foram selecionados prontuários de 65 pacientes portadores de tumores malignos nas regiões descritas. A análise das imagens foi realizada por dois examinadores médicos, separadamente, sem o conhecimento das informações clínicas. Na avaliação do EM, foram considerados: simetria com o EM contralateral; obliteração do plano gorduroso, do trígono retromolar e do espaço faríngeo; edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos medial e lateral; destruição do ramo da mandíbula. Resultados: Foram observados obliteração do plano gorduroso em 69,2% dos pacientes, assimetria em 27,7%, espessamento/atrofia em 26,2% e destruição óssea em 20,0%. Presença de trismo foi encontrada em 15,4% dos pacientes. Na associação entre dimensão do tumor e trismo, foram observados trismo em 90,0% dos tumores em estágio T4, enquanto a porcentagem de tumores em estágio T4 sem trismo foi de 43,8%. Pacientes com tumores T4 apresentaram 11,6 vezes mais trismo que os dos demais estágios. Neoplasias da loja tonsilar e trígono retromolar perfizeram 95,0% dos casos. Em 60,0% dos pacientes com trismo havia edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos na tomografia computadorizada e em 21,8% nos sem trismo. Observou-se associação entre tumores T4 e edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos e 5,4 vezes mais chance de apresentarem trismo. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes apresentou obliteração do plano gorduroso, seguido de assimetria e espessamento/atrofia. O trismo estava presente na maioria dos pacientes T4 com espessamento/atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar, por meio de tomografia computadorizada, alterações do espaço mastigador (EM) decorrentes de disseminação de neoplasias malignas originárias da loja tonsilar, trígono retromolar, seio maxilar e nasofaringe, e correlacionar presença de trismo com achados tomográficos e dimensões do tumor. Materiais e Métodos: Foram selecionados prontuários de 65 pacientes portadores de tumores malignos nas regiões descritas. A análise das imagens foi realizada por dois examinadores médicos, separadamente, sem o conhecimento das informações clínicas. Na avaliação do EM, foram considerados: simetria com o EM contralateral; obliteração do plano gorduroso, do trígono retromolar e do espaço faríngeo; edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos medial e lateral; destruição do ramo da mandíbula. Resultados: Foram observados obliteração do plano gorduroso em 69,2% dos pacientes, assimetria em 27,7%, espessamento/atrofia em 26,2% e destruição óssea em 20,0%. Presença de trismo foi encontrada em 15,4% dos pacientes. Na associação entre dimensão do tumor e trismo, foram observados trismo em 90,0% dos tumores em estágio T4, enquanto a porcentagem de tumores em estágio T4 sem trismo foi de 43,8%. Pacientes com tumores T4 apresentaram 11,6 vezes mais trismo que os dos demais estágios. Neoplasias da loja tonsilar e trígono retromolar perfizeram 95,0% dos casos. Em 60,0% dos pacientes com trismo havia edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos na tomografia computadorizada e em 21,8% nos sem trismo. Observou-se associação entre tumores T4 e edema e/ou atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos e 5,4 vezes mais chance de apresentarem trismo. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes apresentou obliteração do plano gorduroso, seguido de assimetria e espessamento/atrofia. O trismo estava presente na maioria dos pacientes T4 com espessamento/atrofia dos músculos pterigóideos.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate alterations in the masticator space due to the dissemination of malignant neoplasms originating from the tonsillar fossa, retromolar trigone, maxillary sinus, or nasopharynx, using computed tomography (CT), as well as to correlate the presence of trismus with the CT findings and the dimensions of the tumor. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 65 patients with malignant tumors in the regions described. The images were analyzed by two physician examiners, working independently, who were blinded to the clinical data. In the evaluation of the masticator space, the following parameters were considered: symmetry with the contralateral space; obliteration of the fat plane, retromolar trigone, or pharyngeal space; edema/atrophy of the medial or lateral pterygoid muscles; and destruction of the mandibular ramus. Results: Obliteration of the fat plane was found in 69.2% of the patients. Asymmetry, edema/atrophy, and bone destruction were detected in 27.7%, 26.2%, and 20.0% of the patients, respectively. Trismus was identified in 15.4% of the patients. Of the patients with trismus, 90.0% had stage T4 tumors, compared with only 43.8% of those without trismus. Trismus was 11.6 times more common among the patients with stage T4 tumors than among those with lower-stage tumors. Neoplasms of the tonsillar fossa and retromolar trigone collectively accounted for 95.0% of the cases. The CT scans showed edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles in 60.0% of the patients with trismus and in 21.8% of those without. An association was observed between T4 tumor stage and edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles. In addition, the risk of trismus was 5.4 times higher among the patients with stage T4 tumors. Conclusion: In our patient sample, the most common finding was obliteration of the fat plane, followed by asymmetry and edema/atrophy. Most of the patients with T4 tumors had trismus, together with edema/atrophy of the pterygoid muscles.

Resumo Introdução O procedimento utilizado para avaliar a taxa de fluxo salivar é denominado sialometria. Pode ser realizado por meio de várias técnicas, mas nenhuma parece ser realmente eficiente para pacientes pós-radioterapia. Objetivo Adaptar sialometrias para pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço submetidos à radioterapia. Método 22 pacientes xerostômicos pós-radioterapia (dose de radiação total variando de 60-70 Gy) foram incluídos neste estudo. Dez pacientes foram avaliados utilizando sialometrias originalmente propostas pelo Radiation Therapy Oncology Group e doze foram avaliados por nossos métodos modificados. Sialometrias não estimuladas e estimuladas foram conduzidas e os resultados foram classificados de acordo com uma escala de graduação e comparados entre os dois grupos. Resultados Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as avaliações salivares de ambos os grupos (p = 0,4487 e p = 0,5615). Além disso, a maioria dessas taxas foi classificada como muito baixa e baixa. Conclusão Esse novo método parece ser adequado para pacientes submetidos à radioterapia.

Abstract Introduction The procedure used to evaluate salivary flow rate is called sialometry. It can be performed through several techniques, but none appears to be really efficient for post-radiotherapy patients. Objective To adequate sialometry tests for head and neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy. Methods 22 xerostomic patients post-radiotherapy (total radiation dose ranging from 60 to 70 Gy) were included in this study. Ten patients were evaluated using sialometries originally proposed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and twelve were assessed by our modified methods. Unstimulated and stimulated sialometries were performed and the results were classified according a grading scale and compared between both groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the salivary evaluations of both groups (p = 0.4487 and p = 0.5615). Also, most of these rates were classified as very low and low. Conclusion This novel method seems to be suitable for patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma is a rare odontogenic neoplasm and is considered the malignant counterpart of ameloblastic fibroma. The diagnosis is made by histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation, since the epithelial component remains benign and the mesenchymal component becomes malignant. Until 2012, only 72 cases were published in English-literature. This article presents a case of intraoral mass at the posterior mandible of a 23 year-old female patient. Panoramic radiography showed a multilocular radiolucent lesion with ill-defined borders and tooth involvement. The mandibular canal presented loss of architecture also. The computed tomography images (bone window) showed hypodense lesion leading to expansion, tapering and irregular destruction of cortical, and tooth involvement. Incisional biopsy was performed for histopathological evaluation. The results revealed a mixed lesion with epithelial and mesenchymal cellular proliferation. At immunohistochemical analysis, the mesenchymal portion was vimentin positive and the epithelial component was positive for cytokeratin AE1-AE3. It also showed p53 intense labeling in all tumorous cells. The final diagnosis was ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. The lesion was surgically excised with clear margins. The radiographic appearance, even imperative for treatment planning, poorly contributed to final diagnosis, which was reached by histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations. The treatment is still controversial, without a definition regarding chemotherapy and radiotherapy as coadjutant treatment.

El fibrosarcoma ameloblástico es una neoplasia odontogénica poco frecuente y es considerada la contraparte maligna del fibroma ameloblástico. El diagnóstico se realiza mediante la evaluación histopatológica e inmunohistoquímica, ya que el componente epitelial sigue siendo benigno y el componente mesenquimal se convierte en maligno. Hasta 2012, solo 72 casos fueron publicados en la literatura inglesa. En este artículo se presenta un caso de masa intraoral en la mandíbula parte posterior, de una paciente de 23 años de edad. La radiografía panorámica mostró una lesión radiolúcida multilocular con bordes mal definidos y con un diente incluso en la lesión. El canal mandibular también presentaba pérdida de la arquitectura. La tomografía computarizada (TC) (ventana de hueso) presentó lesión hipodensa que provocaba una expansión que se estrechaba y destruía irregularmente la cortical, además envolvía la pieza dentaria. Se realizó biopsia incisional para evaluación histopatológica. Los resultados revelaron una lesión mixta con proliferación celular epitelial y mesenquimal. En el análisis inmunohistoquímico, la porción mesenquimal fue positivo para vimentina y el componente epitelial fue positivo para citoqueratina AE1-AE3. También mostró marcación intensa para p53 en todas las células tumorales. El diagnóstico final fue de fibrosarcoma ameloblástico. La lesión fue extirpada quirúrgicamente con márgenes de seguridad. El aspecto radiológico, aunque imprescindible para la planificación del tratamiento, poco contribuyó al diagnóstico final, que fue alcanzado por las evaluaciones histopatológicas e inmunohistoquímicas. El tratamiento sigue siendo controvertido, sin una definición respecto de la quimioterapia y la radioterapia como tratamiento coadyuvante.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the plasma CTX bone remodeling marker is useful for indicating the bone metabolic activity level of the mandible. Thirty-six patients were selected; all were postmenopausal and aged 50 years or over. In accordance with the WHO criteria for osteoporosis, a control group was set up (n = 10) in which the T-score was greater than -1 and a diseased group with T-score less than -1. Using MDP-99mTc samples, the radioisotope uptake in the femoral neck (R2) and mandibular body (R1) was analyzed. A third examination was performed using the plasma CTX biochemical bone-modeling marker. The inferential results for the diseased group showed that Ln(R1) presented a statistically significant linear relationship with Ln(CTx) (p = 0.067) and with the T-score (p = 0.018). The plasma CTX bone remodeling marker is useful for monitoring the bone metabolic activity of the mandible.

OBJETIVO: A artrite idiopática juvenil (AIJ) tem etiologia desconhecida e o envolvimento da articulação temporomandibular (ATM) é raro no estágio inicial da doença. Este artigo descreve o uso de imagens de tomografia computadorizada (TC) e de ressonância magnética (RM) para o diagnóstico de ATM afetada pela AIJ. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Uma paciente de 12 anos de idade, leucoderma, portadora de AIJ com envolvimento de múltiplas articulações foi encaminhada ao Centro de Imaginologia para avaliação das ATMs. A paciente relatou dor na ATM e limitação de abertura bucal. O exame com TC helicoidal da região da ATM com reconstruções a 1 mm mostrou assimetria entre os côndilos mandibulares, erosão do côndilo direito e formação osteofítica. O exame de RM mostrou erosão do côndilo mandibular direito, osteófito, deslocamento sem redução e ruptura do disco articular. CONCLUSÃO: As desordens de ATM devido à AIJ devem ser cuidadosamente examinadas por modernas técnicas de imagem. A TC é muito útil para a detecção e avaliação de estruturas ósseas da ATM e permite o exame de alterações ósseas discretas, que não seriam identificadas por radiografias convencionais nas fases iniciais de AIJ. A RM permite a avaliação de tecidos moles, identificação de inflamação articular aguda e diferenciação entre hipertrofia sinovial e do pannus.

PURPOSE: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has unknown etiology, and the involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare in the early phase of the disease. The present article describes the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) images for the diagnosis of affected TMJ in JIA. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 12-year-old, female, Caucasian patient, with systemic rheumathoid arthritis and involvement of multiple joints was referred to the Imaging Center for TMJ assessment. The patient reported TMJ pain and limited opening of the mouth. The helical CT examination of the TMJ region showed asymmetric mandibular condyles, erosion of the right condyle and osteophyte-like formation. The MRI examination showed erosion of the right mandibular condyle, osteophytes, displacement without reduction and disruption of the articular disc. CONCLUSION: The disorders of the TMJ as a consequence of JIA must be carefully assessed by modern imaging methods such as CT and MRI. CT is very useful for the evaluation of discrete bone changes, which are not identified by conventional radiographs in the early phase of JIA. MRI allows the evaluation of soft tissues, the identification of acute articular inflammation and the differentiation between pannus and synovial hypertrophy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concentração de metabólitos no masseter em portadores de esclerose sistêmica, analisando os índices de creatina, colina, lipídio e lactato, e relacionar com a presença de osteólise mandibular. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 25 pacientes, sendo 15 com diagnóstico de esclerose sistêmica e agrupados de acordo com a presença (grupo I) ou ausência (grupo II) de osteólise, e 10 indivíduos normais (grupo III, controle). Todos foram submetidos a exame de espectroscopia de próton por ressonância magnética, com técnica PRESS e aquisição tridimensional. RESULTADOS: O estudo dos metabólitos dos três grupos apresentou os mesmos valores absolutos de creatina e lipídio. Os pacientes do grupo I apresentaram maior quantidade de colina em relação aos do grupo III. Já os indivíduos dos grupos I e II apresentaram menor quantidade de lactato em relação aos indivíduos normais. Os índices creatina/lipídio e colina/lactato foram os mesmos em todos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Observamos menor quantidade de lactato nos pacientes com esclerose sistêmica (grupos I e II). A colina está aumentada nos pacientes com osteólise mandibular (grupo I). Os índices creatina/colina, creatina/lactato, lipídio/lactato e colina/lipídio foram diferentes entre os grupos estudados. Mais estudos são necessários para a compreensão da participação do masseter no desenvolvimento da osteólise mandibular.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate metabolite concentration in the masseter of patients with systemic sclerosis, by analyzing creatine, choline, lipid and lactate levels, and correlating them with the presence of mandibular osteolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 25 individuals, 15 of them with diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, divided into two groups according to the presence (group I) or absence (group II) of osteolysis, and 10 healthy individuals (group III, control). All of them were submitted to proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy with PRESS sequence and 3D acquisition. RESULTS: Metabolite analysis showed that the creatine and lipid levels were the same for the three groups. Patients in group I presented higher levels of choline when compared with group III. On the other hand, lower lactate levels were observed in groups I and II when compared with the healthy individuals. Creatine/lipid and choline/lactate ratios were the same in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Lower lactate levels were observed in the patients with systemic sclerosis (groups I and II). Choline levels were increased in the patients with mandibular osteolysis (group I). Creatine/choline, lipid/lactate and choline/lipid ratios were different among the three groups. Further studies are necessary to understand the role played by the masseter in the development of mandibular osteolysis.

Systemic sclerosis (SS) is an autoimmune disease with great repercussions on the hard and soft tissues of the orofacial region. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular osteolysis and mouth opening measurements, duration of disease and presence/absence of teeth. Twenty-five subjects were selected: 15 diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and 10 healthy controls. The SS patients were grouped according to the presence (group I) or absence (group II) of mandibular osteolysis. The healthy subjects served as the control group (III). All of them underwent panoramic radiography on Ortophos® equipment (Siemens) and were clinically examined, with mouth opening measurement. We observed that group I had a longer duration of the disease than group II (p = 0.003). Groups I and II presented the same mean mouth opening. There was an increasing correlation between mouth opening and duration of the disease in group I (p = 0.095), but this was not observed in group II (p = 0.596). There was no correlation between presence/absence of teeth and osteolysis (p > 0.999), or between presence/absence of teeth and side of osteolysis (p = 0.143). We could conclude that osteolysis seemed to develop in patients with a longer duration of the disease, but did not modify the degree of mouth opening in relation to patients without osteolysis, and the presence/absence of teeth was not significant. On the other hand, in the osteolysis cases, the longer the duration of the disease, the greater the opening of the mouth.