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Elevated C-reactive Protein Levels and Malignant Transformation Risk in Patients With Oral Mucosal Diseases

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Elevated C-reactive Protein Levels and Malignant Transformation Risk in Patients With Oral Mucosal Diseases Authors: Kang, Jeong-Hyun Abstract: Introduction and aims: Chronic inflammation is recognised as a hallmark of cancers. This multicentre cohort study investigated the influence of elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on the malignant transformation risk of oral inflammatory diseases and lesions with malignant potential utilising the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included the data from 9 medical centres. CRP levels recorded within 30 days of oral diseases diagnosis were analysed. A meta-regression identified 0.269 mg/dL as the optimal threshold for predicting malignancy. Patients were classified into elevated CRP (CRP >= 0.269 mg/dL) and control (CRP <0.269 mg/dL) groups. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate risk of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), followed by 1:1 and 1:2 propensity score matching and pooled meta-analyses. Results: In total, 10029 individuals with oral diseases and available CRP data were included, comprising 4142 and 5887 in the elevated CRP and control groups, respectively. Overall, 204 individuals (2.03%) progressed to OSCC, with higher incidence in the elevated CRP group (2.32%) compared with controls (1.83%). Elevated CRP was significantly associated with increased OSCC risk in both 1:1 (HR = 1.79 [95% CI 1.08-2.95]), and 1:2 propensity score matching models (HR = 1.55 [95% CI 1.01-2.38]). Conclusions: Elevated CRP levels, indicative of systemic inflammation, were linked to an increased risk of malignant progression in patients with inflammatory oral conditions and lesions with malignant potential. Understanding the role of inflammation may help assess OSCC risk and improve prevention. (c) 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of FDI World Dental Federation. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Clinical utility of biofluorescence imaging for detecting secondary caries beneath esthetic restorations

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Clinical utility of biofluorescence imaging for detecting secondary caries beneath esthetic restorations Authors: Kang, Gwen Woung; Kim, Sang-Kyeom; Lee, Eun-Song; Kim, Baek-Il; 김상겸 Abstract: Secondary caries represents a major cause of failure in esthetic restorations; however, early lesions beneath restorations are difficult to detect using conventional visual and radiographic examinations. This case report presents two clinical cases in which Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) imaging with Qraypen C (AIOBIO, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was used to overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and to effectively diagnose and manage secondary caries beneath esthetic restorations. In the first case involving tooth #27 of a 34-year-old female patient, distinct red fluorescence in the QLF image corroborated the presence of deep secondary caries suspected on radiographs and facilitated the treatment planning for root canal therapy. In the second case involving tooth #16 of a 31-year-old female patient, localized red fluorescence detected exclusively on the QLF image guided early preventive intervention, confirming a previously undetectable subclinical lesion and preserving pulp vitality. QLF technology enables the early visualization of secondary caries that are difficult to detect clinically or radiographically, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. By providing information on lesion activity, QLF supports clinical decision-making across a range of treatment strategies, from early intervention to endodontic therapy, and serves as a valuable tool for enhancing communication with patients.

Hyperdiluted triamcinolone injection therapy for infraorbital herniated fat pads

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Hyperdiluted triamcinolone injection therapy for infraorbital herniated fat pads Authors: Semenovych, Tamara; Rosellini, Isabella; Min, Jessie Lim Jia; Layrenshia, Belinda; Sobchyshyn, Mariya; Kim, Jin-Hyun; Yi, Kyu-Ho; 이규호 Abstract: Background: Infraorbital herniated fat pads are a frequent aesthetic concern and are commonly corrected surgically. Some patients prefer minimally invasive options, yet robust non-surgical volume-reduction approaches remain limited. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) is widely used in dermatology and other fields, and localized cutaneous/subcutaneous atrophy and lipoatrophy are recognized adverse effects. Objective: To report outcomes after treating infraorbital herniated fat pads with hyperdiluted TAC prepared at a 1:20 dilution with normal saline and to discuss steroid-related mechanisms affecting adipose tissue. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective case series of nine non-aesthetic-treated patients with infraorbital fat pad protrusion requesting non-surgical management. TAC was hyperdiluted 1:20 with 0.9% normal saline and injected as micro-aliquots into the target fat pad at the lid-cheek junction. Patients received 1-3 sessions at 4-week intervals. Standardized photographs were obtained at baseline and follow-up. Two independent physicians graded improvement using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and patients rated satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale. Adverse events were recorded. Results: Visible reduction of infraorbital bulging was observed in all patients (9/9). Improvement typically became apparent over several weeks and progressed through follow-up. Mild-to-moderate protrusion generally responded after one or two sessions, whereas more advanced bulging required up to three sessions with partial residual fullness. No serious complications were observed; transient edema, erythema, and tenderness resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: Hyperdiluted TAC (1:20 with normal saline) may provide a conservative, minimally invasive approach to reduce small-volume infraorbital fat protrusion, plausibly through controlled steroid-associated adipose atrophy. Given the known risk of unwanted atrophy, dyspigmentation, and contour irregularity with corticosteroid injections, this approach should be considered investigational and applied cautiously with appropriate anatomical expertise and follow-up. (c) 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

High-resolution intraoral ultrasonography of the intrinsic tongue muscles: detailed anatomical visualization

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: High-resolution intraoral ultrasonography of the intrinsic tongue muscles: detailed anatomical visualization Authors: Ji, Hyun-Ju; Heo, Yu-Ran; Piao, Jiong-Zhen; Gil, Young-Chun; Hu, Kyung-Seok; Kim, Hee-Jin Abstract: PurposeThe tongue plays a key role in speech and swallowing, and its intrinsic muscles enable fine coordinated movements. High-resolution ultrasonography is a non-invasive method that allows detailed visualization of tongue structures and blood vessels. This study investigated the morphology of the intrinsic tongue muscles and deep lingual artery by correlating the high-resolution intraoral ultrasonography with known anatomical structures.MethodsUltrasonographic examinations were performed on 33 Korean adults (6 males and 27 females; mean age: 34.9 +/- 12.3 years) using a B-mode system with a 15 MHz hockey-stick transducer. Five predefined areas on the dorsal and lateral tongue surfaces were systematically scanned. A total of 182 images were acquired to evaluate intrinsic tongue structures and the deep lingual artery. Muscle visualization rates were summarized descriptively, and Fisher's exact test was used to examine age-related differences in visualization status.ResultsThe intrinsic tongue muscles (superior longitudinal, transverse lingual, vertical lingual, and inferior longitudinal muscles) were distinctly visualized in layered structure from surface inward. Muscle separation was clear on the dorsal surface, though vertical and transverse lingual muscles appeared in the same layer. Visualization detail decreased slightly in the tongue tip and lateral regions. The deep lingual artery was identified in 70.6% of participants, primarily in the anterior tongue, at a mean depth of 0.9 cm (range, 0.6-1.2 cm). An age-related trend toward lower visibility of the right vertical lingual muscle was observed in older participants (P = 0.123).ConclusionHigh-resolution intraoral ultrasonography successfully provided detailed, anatomically consistent visualization of intrinsic tongue muscles and the deep lingual artery, supporting its utility for both clinical assessment and educational purposes.