Artifact refers to an artificial structure or tissue alteration on a prepared microscopic slide—the result of an extraneous factor. It can result in alteration of normal morphologic and cytologic features that may occur as a result of the way the tissue has been handled, right from the time the biopsy, which is surgically obtained till the entire histopathological procedures of fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning and staining are performed on it. The procedures themselves subject to human and material errors resulting in an artifact may interfere with an adequate diagnosis or render the tissue to be undiagnosable. The present review provides in depth knowledge on the mismanagement of tissue during different biopsy sampling techniques and various processing procedures leading to the appearance of artifacts. Such familiarization in turn will contribute to knowledge of the material and instruments required for correct biopsy performance in dentistry, as well as of the material required for correct sample storage, transport and processing thereby necessitating stringent precision in technique at every step to enable an accurate diagnosis. How to cite this article Kumar K, Shetty DC, Dua M. Biopsy and Tissue Processing Artifacts in Oral Mucosal Tissues. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):92-98.

Schwannoma is a benign, encapsulated, perineural tumor that arises from the Schwann cells. Approximately 25% of the reported cases originate from the head and neck region. Of these, approximately 1–12% occurs intraorally. The intrabony lesion accounts for less than 1% of the central neoplasms. We report a rare case of intraosseous schwannoma in an 8-year-old male patient characteristically originating from the mental nerve. Radiographic examination followed by histopathological evaluation was further confirmed by immunohistochemical markers, S-100 protein, and GFAP that stained intensely positive for the tumor. Thus, confirming the diagnosis of intraosseous schwannoma.

Hypohidrotic (anhidrotic) ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a congenital syndrome characterized by sparse hair, oligodontia, and reduced sweating. It is estimated to affect at least one in 17000 people worldwide. We report a rare case of HED in a 14-year-old male child patient which extraorally manifested as alopecia, scanty eyebrow and eye lashes, frontal bossing, depressed nasal bridge, and full and everted lips. Intraoral examination revealed complete anodontia of the deciduous teeth and partial anodontia of the permanent teeth. It is usually inherited as an X-linked recessive trait caused by mutation in any of the three EDA pathway genes. X-linked and autosomal recessive forms are phenotypically similar; thus, identification of carriers of partial forms of the disorder in their families is the key to clarifying intrafamilial genetic transmission.

Dentist and oral health screening may be the latest weapon in identifying persons at risk of cardiovascular disease. Oral infections, specifically periodontitis, may confer independent risks for different systemic conditions. The risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases also suggest that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes works in both ways. The aim of this study was to support and strengthen the association and relationship between oral hygiene status of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and its associated risk factors. A simple random sampling was carried out in 200 inhabitants of Western Utter Pradesh, India. An oral health visit and examination was made for an equal number of males and females of different age groups with cardiovascular diseases. Evaluation of the oral status was made by means of an oral hygiene index, community periodontal index of treatment needs and loss of attachment. Evaluation of oral status in patients with cardiovascular diseases and in the control group has shown a statistically significant low level of oral health in patients with cardiovascular diseases as compared to control. Prevalence of systemic diseases in different age groups significantly correlated with the prevalence of severe periodontal diseases. Treating gum disease may reduce the risk of heart disease and improve health outcomes for patients with periodontal disease and vascular heart problems.

We report a case of a lesion in the dentulous area of the mandible with previous history of trauma to that region. The importance of the diagnosis is discussed.