Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the accumulation of gas or air in loose subcutaneous connective tissue. The use of air-driven handpieces in dental procedures is a common iatrogenic cause of intraoral mucogingival barrier disruption by high-pressure air. This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who underwent prophylactic periodontal treatment with an air-abrasive device and subsequently developed severe bilateral subcutaneous emphysema, extending from the temporal region to the thoracic and mediastinal spaces. Subcutaneous emphysema was suspected based on clinical examination, and paranasal CT was performed for definitive diagnosis. Chest CT was conducted for further evaluation, followed by consultation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery.The patient was admitted for supportive care and prophylactic antibiotics. After 4 days of hospitalization, the symptoms had nearly resolved, and a follow-up paranasal CT showed significant air resorption. The patient was discharged without complications. Although generally benign and self-limiting, subcutaneous emphysema can lead to serious complications such as systemic infection, pneumothorax, and air embolism. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent further complications.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the accumulation of gas or air in loose subcutaneous connective tissue. The use of air-driven handpieces in dental procedures is a common iatrogenic cause of intraoral mucogingival barrier disruption by high-pressure air. This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who underwent prophylactic periodontal treatment with an air-abrasive device and subsequently developed severe bilateral subcutaneous emphysema, extending from the temporal region to the thoracic and mediastinal spaces. Subcutaneous emphysema was suspected based on clinical examination, and paranasal CT was performed for definitive diagnosis. Chest CT was conducted for further evaluation, followed by consultation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery.The patient was admitted for supportive care and prophylactic antibiotics. After 4 days of hospitalization, the symptoms had nearly resolved, and a follow-up paranasal CT showed significant air resorption. The patient was discharged without complications. Although generally benign and self-limiting, subcutaneous emphysema can lead to serious complications such as systemic infection, pneumothorax, and air embolism. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent further complications.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the accumulation of gas or air in loose subcutaneous connective tissue. The use of air-driven handpieces in dental procedures is a common iatrogenic cause of intraoral mucogingival barrier disruption by high-pressure air. This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who underwent prophylactic periodontal treatment with an air-abrasive device and subsequently developed severe bilateral subcutaneous emphysema, extending from the temporal region to the thoracic and mediastinal spaces. Subcutaneous emphysema was suspected based on clinical examination, and paranasal CT was performed for definitive diagnosis. Chest CT was conducted for further evaluation, followed by consultation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery.The patient was admitted for supportive care and prophylactic antibiotics. After 4 days of hospitalization, the symptoms had nearly resolved, and a follow-up paranasal CT showed significant air resorption. The patient was discharged without complications. Although generally benign and self-limiting, subcutaneous emphysema can lead to serious complications such as systemic infection, pneumothorax, and air embolism. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent further complications.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Cancer Public Library Database (CPLD), established under the Korean Clinical Data Utilization for Research Excellence project (K-CURE). The CPLD links data from four major population-based public sources: the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database in the Korea Central Cancer Registry, cause-of-death data in Statistics Korea, the National Health Information Database in the National Health Insurance Service, and the National Health Insurance Research Database in the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. These databases are linked using an encrypted resident registration number. The CPLD, established in 2022 and updated annually, comprises 1,983,499 men and women newly diagnosed with cancer between 2012 and 2019. It contains data on cancer registration and death, demographics, medical claims, general health checkups, and national cancer screening. The most common cancers among men in the CPLD were stomach (16.1%), lung (14.0%), colorectal (13.3%), prostate (9.6%), and liver (9.3%) cancers. The most common cancers among women were thyroid (20.4%), breast (16.6%), colorectal (9.0%), stomach (7.8%), and lung (6.2%) cancers. Among them, 571,285 died between 2012 and 2020 owing to cancer (89.2%) or other causes (10.8%). Upon approval, the CPLD is accessible to researchers through the K-CURE portal. The CPLD is a unique resource for diverse cancer research to investigate medical use before a cancer diagnosis, during initial diagnosis and treatment, and long-term follow-up. This offers expanded insight into healthcare delivery across the cancer continuum, from screening to end-of-life care.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the ultrastructural and chemical composition of sialoliths, tonsilloliths, and antroliths and to describe their growth pattern. Materials and Methods: We obtained 19 specimens from 18 patients and classified the specimens into three groups: sialolith (A), tonsillolith (B), and antrolith (C). The peripheral, middle, and core regions of the specimens were examined in detail by histology, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: In the micro-CT, group A showed alternating radiodense and radiolucent layers, while group B had a homogeneous structure. Group C specimens revealed a compact homogeneous structure. Histopathologically, group A showed a laminated, teardrop-shaped, globular structure. Group B demonstrated degrees of immature calcification of organic and inorganic materials. In group C, the lesion was not encapsulated and showed a homogeneous lamellar bone structure. SEM revealed that group A showed distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, intermediate compact zone, and the central nidus area; groups B and C did not show these layers. The main elemental components of sialoliths were O, C, Ca, N, Cu, P, Zn, Si, Zr, F, Na, and Mg. In group B, a small amount of Fe was found in the peripheral region. Group C had a shorter component list: Ca, C, O, P, F, N, Si, Na, and Mg. TEM analysis of group A showed globular structures undergoing intra-vesicular calcification. In group B, bacteria were present in the middle layer. In the outer layer of the group C antrolith, an osteoblastic rimming was observed. Conclusion Sialoliths had distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, an intermediate compact zone and the central nidus area, while the tonsillolith and antrolith specimens lacked distinct layers and a core.

Objectives: Surgical extraction of maxillary third molars is routine in departments devoted to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Because maxillary third molars are anatomically adjacent to the maxillary sinus, complications such as oroantral fistula and maxillary sinusitis can occur. Here we explore the factors that can cause radiographic postoperative swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa after surgical extraction. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of patients who underwent maxillary third-molar extraction. Preoperative panoramas, Waters views, and cone-beam computed tomography were performed for all patients. The patients were divided into two groups; those with and those without swelling of the sinus mucosa swelling or air-fluid level in a postoperative Waters view. We analyzed the age and sex of patients, vertical position, angulation, number of roots, and relation to the maxillary sinus between groups. Statistical analysis used logistic regression and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 91 patients with 153 maxillary third molars were enrolled in the study. Variables significantly related to swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa after surgical extraction were the age and the distance between the palatal cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the maxillary sinus floor (P<0.05). Results of the analysis show that the relationship between the CEJ and sinus floor was likely to affect postoperative swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Conclusion Maxillary third molars are anatomically adjacent to the maxillary sinus and require careful handling when the maxillary sinus is pneumatized to the CEJ of teeth.

Objectives: As medical history before surgery is often based on patient reporting, there is the possibility that patients intentionally hide underlying diseases or that dentists cannot recognize abnormal health states. Therefore, more professional and reliable treatment processes are needed under the Korean dental specialist system. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the necessity of a preoperative blood testing routine prior to office-based surgery under local anesthesia. Patients and Methods: Preoperative blood lab data for 5,022 patients from January 2018 to December 2019 were assembled. Study participants were those who underwent extraction or implant surgery under local anesthesia at Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Preoperative blood tests included complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, serum electrolyte, serology, and blood coagulation data. Values outside of the normal range were considered an “abnormality,” and the percentage of abnormalities among the total number of patients was calculated. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of underlying disease. The rates of abnormalities in the blood tests were compared between groups. Chi-square tests were performed to compare data from the two groups, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The percentages of males and females in the study were 48.0% and 52.0%, respectively. Of all patients, 17.0% (Group B) reported known systemic disease, while 83.0% (Group A) reported no specific medical history. There were significant differences between Groups A and B in CBC, coagulation panel, electrolytes, and chemistry panel (P<0.05). In Group A, the results of blood tests that required a change in procedure were identified even though the proportion was very small. Conclusion Preoperative blood tests for office-based surgery can detect underlying medical conditions that are difficult to identify from patient history alone and can prevent unexpected sequelae. In addition, such tests can result in a more professional treatment process and build patient confidence in the dentist.