The proliferation kinetics of VX2 cancer cells transplanted to the tongue and its lymph node metastasis and the association of apoptosis were explored. On 7,14,21 and 28 days after VX2 cancer cells were transplanted into the left muscular layer of the tongue, rabbits were sacrificed to enucleate the tongue and deep cervical lyrnph node. Paraffin sections, prepared according to the ordinary procedure, were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.

The volume of rabbit tongue cancer increased rapidly 14 to 21 days after transplantation. The number of AgNORs in the peripheral portions of the rabbit tongue cancer cell nest was largest 14 days after transplantation. Metastasis was observed in a rabbit deep cervical lymph node on the transplantation side 14 days after transplantation. The number of AgNORs in the peripheral portions of the bilateral deep cervical lymph node metastasis was larger than that in the peripheral portions of the rabbit tongue cancer cell nest, increasing day by day with advance of the deep cervical lymph node metastasis. The apoptotic indexes of the rabbit tongue cancer and deep cervical lymph node metastasis increased day by day, then the latter exceeded the former. The number of AgNORs was correlated with the apoptotic index in the deep cervical lymph node metastasis on the transplantation side and in the rabbit tongue cancer cell nest.

Thus, the number of AgNORs in the rabbit VX2 tongue cancer cell nest, and its deep cervical lymph node metastasis, can be an indicator of proliferation activity of cancer cells. Especially, a rapid increase in the former may indicate deep cervical lymph node metastasis. It was suggested that apoptosis may be associated with the proliferation and advance of cancer cells in the rabbit tongue cancer cell nest and deep cervical lymph node metastasis.

Many investigators have reported that the masticatory function have a great influence on the maxillofacial morphology. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the maxillofacial morphology and the masticatory function as represented by the thickness of the masseter muscle, biting force and occlusal contact area. The subjects were consisted of 31 male volunteers, with a mean age of 24 years,5 months (S. D. ±lyear,3months). Maxillofacial morphology was observed using conventional roentgenographic cephalometry. Masseter muscle thickness was determined through ultrasonography. Biting force was obtained by pressure-sensitive film and a strain-gauge, Occlusal contact area was measured by pressure-sensitive film. The following results were obtained:

1. Masseter muscle thickness was positively correlated with SNA, mandibular ramus inclination,ramus height and cortical bone thickness, and negatively with mandibular plane angle.

2. Biting force and occlusal contact area were positively correlated with mandibular ramus inclination, ramus height and cortical bone thickness, and negatively with mandibular plane angle.

It was indicated that masticatory function appears to affect the maxillofacial morphology, in particular the mandibular bone. Subject with a strong masticatory function had a flat mandibular plane, small gonial angle and enlargement of cortical thickness of mandibular base.

Recently, many studies have investigated the relevance of apoptosis in tumor inhibition and anticancer drugs. As a result, was demonstrated that apoptosis was induced by many anticancer drugs. Furthermore, differences in induction by cell type are reported. Various anticancer drugs are useful for squamous cell carcinoma in the oral region, but details in vivo have not been demonstrated. This study examined changes in apoptosis induction in murine squamous cell carcinoma cells. As a result, apoptosis was correlated with tumor inhibition by cisplatin in murine squamous cell carcinoma cells, and apoptosis induction increased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression rate of P53 protein and Bcl-2 protein correlated with the apoptotic index. Bax protein exression appears, but no further change was observed.

In this study, it was confirmed that apoptosis was induced by cisplatin in squamous cell carcimoma cells, and it was indicated that P53 protein and Bcl-2 protein levels which correlated with induction.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a drug commonly used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. It is an iminostibene derivative that is extensively metabolized by the liver. A medical regimen of 300㎎ of CBZ daily was started for a 74-year-old woman with diagnosis of left trigeminal neuralgia(Ⅲ). After CBZ was administered for 4 weeks, drug eruptions appeared on the skin and severe liver damage (GOT and GPT greater than 600IU/ℓ) was detected. Withdrawal of CBZ led to complete resolution of both clinical and biochemical abnormalities.Geriatric patients seem to be particularly susceptible and their hepatic function should be monitored closely when CBZ therapy is initiated.

For postoperative maxillary cyst, the per-maxillary method has been performed in most cases.

The endoscopic method has had only limited application, since the varied number and location make the operation difficult.

Recently, the endoscopic method has been more widely used because CT and endoscopy can be applied. Twenty-four patients who underwent surgery for postoperative maxillary cysts in Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University and JA Akita Ogachi Central Hospital, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were reviewed.

Preoperarative CT finding, surgical methods, operative finding and prognosis were analyzed.