It is difficult to compare studies carried out in various countries due to differences in people's attitudes toward oral health and the accessibility of various population groups to biopsy services. Nevertheless, this study has provided some information about the frequency and distribution of biopsied gingival lesions in the Gujarati population over a period of five years.

ObjectivesThere are only a limited number of studies on cyclin D1 and p63 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia. This study compared cyclin D1 and p63 expression in leukoplakia and OSCC to investigate the possible correlation of both markers with grade of dysplasia and histological grade of OSCC.Materials and MethodsThe study included a total of 60 cases, of which 30 were diagnosed with OSCC and 30 with leukoplakia, that were evaluated immunohistochemically for p63 and cyclin D1 expression. Protein expression was correlated based on grades of dysplasia and OSCC.ResultsOut of 30 cases of OSCC, 23 cases (76.7%) were cyclin D1 positive and 30 cases (100%) were p63 positive. Out of 30 cases of leukoplakia, 21 cases (70.0%) were cyclin D1 positive and 30 (100%) were p63 positive (P<0.05).ConclusionThe overall expression of cyclin D1 and p63 correlated with tumor differentiation, and increases were correlated with poor histological grades, from well-differentiated to poorly-differentiated SCC. Increased cyclin D1 and p63 expression was associated with the severity of leukoplakia. Based on these results cyclin D1 and p63 products can be a useful tool for improved leukoplakia prognosis.

Osteoma is a benign osteogenic neoplasm microscopically consisting of proliferation of cancellous or compact bone. Peripheral osteomas (PO) arise from the periosteum and are quite uncommon in the jaw bones. POs of mandible are considered as rare entity and very few cases have been reported in the literature. The pathogenesis of PO is unclear. Some investigators consider it a true neoplasm, while others believe it as a developmental anomaly, a reactive mechanism due to trauma or infection. The purpose of this article is to present the clinical, radiographic, surgical and histological features of a solitary peripheral osteoma of the mandible in a 43-year-old woman and to review the literature for PO located in the mandible.

A growing number of medically compromised patients are encountered by dentists in their practices. Opportunistic fungal infections such as mucormycosis usually occur in immunocompromised patients but can infect healthy individuals as well. Mucormycosis is an acute opportunistic, uncommon, frequently fatal fungal infection, caused by a saprophytic fungus that belongs to the class of phycomycetes. Among the clinical differential diagnosis we can consider squamous cell carcinoma. Such cases present as chronic ulcers with raised margins causing exposure of underlying bone. There is a close histopathological resemblance between mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Microscopically, aspergillosis has septate branching hyphae, which can be distinguished from mucormycotic hyphae by a smaller width and prominent acute angulations of branching hyphae. A definitive diagnosis of mucormycosis can be made by tissue biopsy that identifies the characteristic hyphae, by positive culture or both. The culture of diseased tissue may be negative and histopathologic examination is essential for early diagnosis. Mucormycosis was long regarded as a fatal infection with poor prognosis. However with early medical and surgical management survival rates are now thought to exceed 80%. In the present case, the fungus was identified by hematoxylin and eosin stain and confirmed by Grocott's silver methenamine special staining technique. Removal of the necrotic bone, which acted as a nidus of infection, was done. Post-operatively patient was advised an obturator to prevent oronasal regurgitation. Since mucormycosis occurs infrequently, it may pose a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for those who are not familiar with its clinical presentation.

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