Georges Aoun

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer of the oral cavity. It mainly affects males more than females, with middle-aged to elderly people being the most susceptible. In this report, we present a case of an 88-year-old male with a mass on the posterior-lateral border of the tongue. After thorough clinical, histopathological, and imaging assessments, an SCC was confirmed. Because of the patient’s age, the oncologist has chosen immunotherapy over invasive options of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare, chronic neuro-mucocutaneous disease, clinically characterized by a triad of fissured tongue and recurrent orofacial swelling and peripheral facial nerve palsy. The full triad is uncommon, and most patients have only one or two findings, making diagnosis difficult and often delayed. MRS etiology is unknown, but genetic predisposition, infectious triggers, immune dysregulation, and allergic mechanisms have been proposed. Histopathological examination may show non-caseating granulomatous inflammation, especially in patients with chronic lip swelling. Corticosteroids remain the main medical therapy, and in case of persistent granulomatous cheilitis or lip edema, intralesional corticosteroids may be considered. This review summarizes the current epidemiology, clinical presentations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of MRS.

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common inherited autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and systemic inflammation caused primarily by pathogenic variants in the MEFV gene encoding the pyrin protein. Although FMF predominantly affects serosal membranes, joints, and skin, increasing evidence suggests that chronic inflammatory activation may also influence oral tissues and contribute to a variety of oral manifestations. Recognition of these findings is clinically relevant because oral lesions may represent early or accompanying manifestations of systemic inflammatory activity and may overlap with other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Objective: This narrative review aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding oral manifestations associated with familial Mediterranean fever, including mucosal lesions, periodontal alterations, temporomandibular joint involvement, oral manifestations related to systemic complications, and treatment-associated oral findings. Methods: A narrative literature review was performed using available publications from major biomedical databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Relevant studies describing oral manifestations, inflammatory mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and dental considerations in patients with FMF were analyzed. Due to the limited and heterogeneous nature of available evidence, including case reports, observational studies, and clinical reviews, a narrative synthesis approach was applied. Results: The available literature indicates that recurrent oral ulcerations, particularly aphthous-like lesions, represent the most frequently reported oral finding in patients with FMF. These lesions may occur independently or during periods of increased inflammatory activity and may create diagnostic challenges due to clinical similarity with Behçet disease and other immune-mediated disorders. Additional reported findings include gingival inflammatory changes, altered periodontal responses, temporomandibular joint symptoms associated with inflammatory arthritis, and oral manifestations related to systemic complications such as AA amyloidosis. Longterm colchicine therapy may influence oral health indirectly through modulation of inflammatory activity; however, specific oral adverse effects in FMF patients remain insufficiently investigated. Conclusions: Although oral manifestations are not considered primary diagnostic criteria for familial Mediterranean fever, they represent clinically relevant findings that may reflect systemic inflammatory activity and influence patient quality of life. Dentists and oral healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential oral presentations of FMF to facilitate early recognition, appropriate differential diagnosis, and multidisciplinary patient management. Further prospective studies are required to better define the prevalence, clinical significance, and biological mechanisms underlying oral involvement in FMF.

Metastasis is a complex biological process that begins when cancer cells separate from the original tumor and spread to other tissues and organs, causing morbidity and death. Metastatic cancers to the oral cavity are rare and frequently associated with widespread disease. The diagnosis of these tumors is challenging, and their prognosis is poor. The purpose of this paper is to review the pathogenesis, clinical and histological features, treatment options, and prognosis of metastatic cancers that affect the oral cavity.

Background: The integration of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in the dental field has enhanced the capacity to identify remnants of skeletal and decomposing human parts in forensic medicine. Gender classification plays a crucial role in identification, as it can effectively eliminate a significant percentage of possibilities. Objective: The current study aimed to assess the utility of maxillary sinus volumes and dimensions, including ostium positioning, in determining gender among a sample of the Lebanese population. Methods: Data from 140 maxillary sinuses were investigated by means of CBCT images from 70 patients. Three radiologists measured the volume, width, depth, height, and ostium-floor distance of the sinuses using computer software tools. The maxillary sinus volumes with a mean patient age of 58 years were calculated using a mathematically validated formula and compared across left and right sides, genders, dentate and edentulous patients, and various age groups. Results: Statistical analysis of maxillary sinus measurements revealed that both the volume and dimensions of the sinuses were greater in males than in females. Additionally, these measurements tended to decrease with advancing age. Notably, significant differences were observed among patients with natural teeth and those who are edentulous, particularly in the height of the sinuses, which was significantly greater in edentulous individuals, resulting in larger maxillary sinus volumes for both genders. The ostium-floor distance measurements demonstrated high bilateral symmetry, with mean values of 3.54 cm (SD 0.57) for the right side and 3.58 cm (SD 0.52) for the left side, suggesting consistent ostium positioning across the population sample. Conclusion: This retrospective study, which assessed the volume, dimensions, and ostium positioning of the maxillary sinus using CBCT images from 70 patients, revealed that males possess larger maxillary sinuses than females, with a trend towards reduction in size with increasing age. The bilateral symmetry in ostium-floor distance provides additional anatomical reference data for clinical and forensic applications. Thus, the determination of age and gender in forensic medicine utilizing CBCT may prove to be both useful and advantageous.

Objective: This systematic review examines schwannomas of the mandibular nerve and its branches, focusing on clinical presentation, surgical management, and nerve preservation outcomes. Methods: A PRISMA‐guided literature search was conducted on PubMed and Web of Science, including case reports and case series. Data extraction covered demographics, tumor location, symptoms, treatment, and nerve preservation for studies published between 2000 and 2024. Results: Forty‐six English‐published cases from 20 countries were analyzed, with China reporting the highest number (14). The female‐to‐male ratio was 1.36, with one unspecified gender. Age distribution showed a marked predilection for the fourth and fifth decades. The inferior alveolar nerve was the most affected (23 cases), followed by the lingual nerve (10 cases). Tumor sizes ranged from 0.5 to 12 cm. Swelling without pain (26 cases) was the most common symptom. Surgical approaches included enucleation, segmental resection, and en bloc resection. Nerve preservation was achieved in 34 cases, while 12 had nerve damage. Tumor location significantly affected nerve preservation ( p = 0.000). Gender ( p = 0.402) and clinical presentations ( p = 0.291) were not significant factors. Conclusion: Mandibular schwannomas present diagnostic and surgical challenges. The inferior alveolar nerve shows the highest preservation rate. Early diagnosis and meticulous surgical planning are essential for optimal functional outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in a sample of the Lebanese population. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed data of TMJ disorder rates and their links to age and sex from 689 patients referred to a private dental clinic in Beirut, Lebanon, from 2012 to 2017. Results: The overall prevalence was 17.8%, with disc displacement with reduction (DDR) most common (10.2%), followed by myalgia (6.4%) and disc displacement without reduction (DDwR) (1.2%). Prevalence peaked in the 46–60 age group (27.5%) and showed no significant gender difference. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant prevalence of TMJ disorders among Lebanese dental patients, particularly in older age groups, underscoring the need for targeted interventions, early diagnosis, and tailored treatment strategies to improve patient care and inform future research.

Background: Many people use their dentures continuously for aesthetic and functional reasons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the denture’s continuous wearing in a sample of Lebanese population. Materials and Methods: Two hundred ninety (161 women, 129 men; age range 40-80 years) were selected for this study and their denture’s wearing habits were divided into three groups: a) group 1: regular nighttime denture removal, b) group 2: continuous denture use (daily and nighttime wearing), and c) group 3: irregular denture use. Descriptive statistics for patient age and gender and denture continuous wearing were calculated, and percent distributions were reported. Results: Among the 290 patients, 85 (29.31%) wear their dentures continuously (group 2), 138 (47.58%) take them out at night (group 1), and 67 (23.10%) wear them irregularly (group 3). Conclusion: According to the present study, approximately one-third of patients consistently wear their dentures.