No abstract

Actinomycotic infections of the cervicofacial region are not uncommon. However, actinomycosis of the tongue is rare. A mass that may mimic both benign and malignant neoplasms can be seen at clinical presentation and may mislead the diagnosis. We report a patient who presented with a tumour-like tongue mass causing speech disturbance, diagnosed as actinomycosis.

Objective: Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in increased homocysteine levels in the body. Hyperhomocysteinemia causes a predisposition to venous and arterial thrombosis and ischaemic insults. The incidence of the deficiency is around 40% in some countries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of anaesthetic agents in children with MTHFR deficiency. Methods:Twelve paediatric patients with an MTHFR enzyme deficiency who underwent surgery in a ten-month period in a single centre were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic data, homocysteine levels before and after surgery, anaesthesia management and postoperative complications were recorded. Results:In four patients, propofol was used both for anaesthesia induction and total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). Eight patients received sevoflurane for both induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) was not used in any patients.There was not a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative homocysteine levels (p>0.05). Twenty-four hours after the surgery, the homocysteine levels were within normal limits. No complications were observed. Conclusion:Sevoflurane and propofol have no deleterious effects on homocysteine levels in patients with MTHFR deficiency. Avoidance of N 2 O is the key point for anaesthetic consideration regarding these patients.

Our aim was to investigate the effect of sclerosant agent OK-432 on tongue fibrosis and to determine whether the fibrosis formed by this substance increases with dose. Fifty Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups for the study. In the first group 0.2 ml OK-432, in the second group 0.5 ml OK-432, and in the third group physiological saline as the control substance was injected into the tongue of these rats. Subjects were sacrificed on the first day, first week, first month, third month and sixth month following the injection. Cross-sections of the tongues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson Tri-chrome. The degree of fibrosis was measured using ocular micrometry. A significant amount of fibrosis was observed in both the 0.2 ml (P = 0.020) and 0.5 ml (P = 0.003) OK-432 injection groups. OK-432 is a material that causes significant fibrosis in the muscle when compared to physiological saline. The degree of fibrosis in the tongue increases with dose.