Background:Fascial space infections of the head and neck region, usually odontogenic in origin, are routinely treated as an out-patient procedure. Untreated or rapidly spreading odontogenic infections can be potentially life threatening. The present study is a review of patients with orofacial infections who required emergent incision and drainage in the maxillofacial unit of our institution. The need for early presentation is highlighted.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective study of patients with orofacial space infections between January 2007 and December 2010. Patients’ case files were retrieved and demographic as well as clinical characteristics were obtained and analyzed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant.Results:A total of 53 patients with fascial space infection were seen over the period of study. Of the 41 patients reviewed, males accounted for 26 (63.4%) and females 15 (36.6%). Their ages ranged from 4 months to 80 years (mean 32.8± 18.3 years). There was no statistical difference between the mean age of male and female patients (t=-962, P=0.342). Submandibular space was the most frequently involved single space and accounted for 43.9% of the cases. This was followed by multiple space involvement (Ludwig angina) which accounted for 36.6%. Buccal space and submasseteric space infection represented 7.3% each. Sources of infections were of odontogenic origin in 92.7% of cases and were unknown in the remaining 7.3%. The outcome was satisfactory with complete resolution in 48.8% of cases. Resolution with some morbidities in the form of persistent limitation of mouth opening, orocutaneus fistula, and necrotising fascitis were seen in an almost equal proportion of 46.3% of cases. The outcome was observed to be significantly associated with the presence of underlying systemic conditions (χ2 =21.66; r=0.73; P=0.0001), time of presentation (χ2 =12.28; r=0.55; P=0.002), and age (χ2 =54.48; r=0.69; P=0.0001).Conclusion:Fascial space infections of the head and neck region, though potentially life threatening, can be prevented by regular dental visits. Early recognition and treatment of established cases are necessary to prevent considerable morbidity and mortality, especially in older patients with an underlying systemic condition.

Aim:The aim of this study was to see the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in diagnosing salivary gland tumors found in a tertiary health institution.Materials and Methods:Twenty-six formalin-fixed paraffin embedded salivary gland tumors were accessioned, and 2 μm were sectioned and processed using Streptavidin-Biotin immunoperoxidase method.Results:Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADCC) was positive to alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) while mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and oncocytic carcinoma (OCC) were all negative to it. MEC, PLGA, ADCC and the only pleomorphic adenoma (PA) were positive to Ki-67 while both SCC and OCC were negative to it. All the tumors except PA were positive to p63.Conclusion:It appears that α-SMA may be used to distinguish ADCC from MEC and PLGA, but Ki-67 cannot be used for this purpose. Furthermore, p63 cannot help in the diagnosis of ADCC, MEC or PLGA. It was concluded that immunochemistry can be used as adjunct to routine H and E stain in the diagnosis of the various salivary gland tumors.

Aim:A retrospective study of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in Port Harcourt was undertaken to establish its prevalence and compare with known data in the literature from Nigeria and elsewhere.Materials and Methods:All pathologically diagnosed OTs between 2008 and 2013 at the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology of the University of Port Harcourt/University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were retrospectively studied and classified according to the 2005 WHO classification of OTs and allied diseases. These were recorded into a computer and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results:A total of sixty-three cases of OTs were recorded for the period under review. Fifty-two of these were cases of ameloblastoma (82.54%). This was followed by adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) 4 (6.35%) and odontogenic myxoma 3 (4.76%). Most lesions were seen within the second to fourth decades of life and mandible was most frequently affected.Conclusion:It is concluded that the pattern of occurrence of OTs in Port Harcourt followed a general pattern in Nigeria and other African countries but slightly differs from findings from other parts of the world.

Background: Orofacial lesions in children and adolescents are diverse and show variation in prevalence from one region to another. Previous Nigerian studies on orofacial lesions in this age group have focused on tumours and tumour-like lesions, with the exclusion of cysts and some inflammatory/reactive lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic characteristics of all biopsied orofacial lesions seen in children and adolescents aged 16 years and below. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed histopathology records over an 11-year period for histologically diagnosed lesions in patients aged 16 years and below. All such cases were extracted, and the age, gender, site and histopathologic diagnosis were recorded for each case. Lesions were categorized into three groups: inflammatory/reactive, cystic and neoplastic, with the neoplastic lesions sub-divided into benign and malignant. Patients were categorized into three age groups: 0 -5 years, 6 -12 years and 13 -16 years. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 109 biopsied lesions were seen in children ≤ 16 years during the period under review, representing 20.8% of all biopsied lesions during the same period. The patients' age ranged from 4 months to 16 years, with a mean age of 10.4 ± 4.1 years and the lesions were encountered most frequently in the 6 -12 years age group (45.9%). There was no gender predilection and the mandible (30.3%), maxilla (20.2%) and gingiva (22.9%) were the most frequently involved sites. Neoplastic, Inflammatory/reactive and Cystic lesions constituted 52.3%, 35.8% and 11.9% of cases respectively. The most frequent histopathologic diagnoses were pyogenic granuloma (16.5%) and unicystic ameloblastoma (12.8%). The most common inflammatory/reactive lesion was pyogenic granuloma (46.2%) and it was significantly associated with the gingiva (p = 0.000). Unicystic ameloblastoma was the most common neoplastic lesion, while dentigerous cyst was the most How to cite this paper: Orikpete, E.V., Iyogun, C.frequently encountered cystic lesion. Conclusion: Most orofacial lesions in children aged 16 years or below are either benign neoplasms or inflammatory/reactive lesions, with the three most common diagnoses being pyogenic granuloma, unicystic ameloblastoma and dentigerous cyst. The mandible is the most commonly affected site. children aged 16 years or below, with most cases being benign neoplasms or inflammatory/reactive lesions. Lesions involved mostly the mandible, maxilla, gingiva and lips, and the most frequent histologic diagnosis in decreasing frequency were pyogenic granuloma, unicystic ameloblastoma and dentigerous cyst.

Background: Lesions of the gingiva account for a significant portion of the diagnostic workload of any oral pathology practice. Biopsy is important in establishing a definitive diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency and distribution of biopsied gingival lesions in a Nigerian population. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all gingival biopsies performed over a 10-year period. Data on age, gender, site (maxillary or mandibular) and histopathological diagnosis were recorded. The lesions were categorized into two groups: non-neoplastic and neoplastic, with the neoplastic lesions further divided into benign and malignant lesions. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Results: There were a total of 501 orofacial biopsies during the period under review, with gingival biopsies accounting for 73 (14.6%) cases. The mean age of subjects was 29.6 ± 20.1 years. There were 48 (65.8%) females and 25 (34.2%) males. Non-neoplastic lesions were 50 (68.5%), while neoplastic lesions were 23 (31.5%). The non-neoplastic lesions had an average age of 25.9 ± 17.7 years, and were encountered most frequently in the 10-19 years age group. Eighteen (36.0%) cases occurred in males, while 32 (64.0%) cases were seen in females. The maxillary gingiva (56.0%) was affected more often than the mandibular gingiva (44.0%). Pyogenic granuloma was the most frequent non-neoplastic lesion, accounting for 35 (70%) cases, followed by peripheral ossifying fibroma (n=6; 12%). The neoplastic lesions had a mean age of 37.1 ± 22.9 years, and consisted of 20 (87%) benign and 3 (13%) malignant lesions. The mean age for benign lesions was 35.3 ± 21.6 years, with a peak occurrence between 20 – 49 years. Females were almost twice more frequently affected than males. The mandibular gingiva accounted for 55% of the benign lesions. The most common benign lesion was fibroma (n=8; 40%) followed by ameloblastoma (n=3; 15%). Malignant lesions accounted for 4.1 % of the biopsied gingival lesions, with a mean age 48.7 ± 33.2 years. There was one case each of Kaposi’s sarcoma, polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoma. Conclusion: There is need for histologic examination of all excised gingival swellings.