Maria Mercedes Suarez-Cunqueiro

University of Santiago de Compostela | USC · Department of Stomatology

More than 50% of oral cancer (OC) patients are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease associated with poor prognosis and quality of life, supporting an urgent need to improve early OC detection. The identification of effective molecular markers by minimally invasive approaches has emerged as a promising strategy for OC screening. This systematic rev...

Liquid biopsies have been identified as a viable source of cancer biomarkers. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cell-free DNA integrity (cfDI) in liquid biopsies for cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to June 2024. Seventy-two study units from forty-six...

In the era of 'precision medicine', liquid biopsies based on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) have emerged as a promising tool in the oncology field. cfDNA from cancer patients is a mixture of tumoral (ctDNA) and non-tumoral DNA originated from healthy, cancer and tumor microenvironmental cells. Apoptosis, necrosis, and active secretion from extracellular ves...

MicroRNAs detected in liquid biopsies have demonstrated to have potential as biomarkers of benign and malignant bowel conditions. Numerous studies have reported on the combination of different microRNAs to improve the diagnostic capabilities in the detection of bowel conditions. This editorial will be reviewing the best scientific evidence availabl...

Background: We explore the utility of TruSight Tumor 170 panel (TST170) for detecting somatic mutations in tumor and cfDNA from locoregional recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: Targeted NGS of tumor DNA and plasma cfDNA was performed using TST170 panel. In addition, a set of somatic mutations previ...

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive characterization of DNA methylome of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) and identify novel tumor-specific DNA methylation markers for early detection using saliva. Material and methods: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis including 6 OTSCC, matched adjacent non-tumoral tissue and saliva was perfor...

Forensic dentistry plays an important role in human identification, and dental age estimation is an important part of the process. Secondary dentin deposition throughout an individual’s lifetime and consequent modification in teeth anatomy is an important parameter for age estimation procedures. The aim of the present study was to develop regressio...

Liquid biopsy has emerged as one of the main pillars for personalized oncology. The term englobes body-fluid samples which contain tumor-derived material such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and circulating extracellular vesicles (cEVs). Potential clinical application of liquid biopsy analyses includes cancer scree...

Introduction: Differences in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments have been described as a valuable tool to distinguish cancer patients from healthy individuals. We aim to investigate the concentration and integrity of cfDNA fragments in saliva from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and healthy individuals in order to explore their value as...

The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was determined in 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren to ascertain the prevalence of malocclusion and to assess its association with dental caries experience, dental plaque accumulation, and socio-demographic variables. We performed a cross-sectional study with a stratified two-stage sampling design. An oral health s...

Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes has been reported as an important epigenetic silencer in head and neck cancer (HNC) pathogenesis. Here, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the overall and specific impact of salivary gene promoter methylation on HNC risk. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–O...

DNA hypermethylation is an important epigenetic mechanism for gene expression inactivation in head and neck cancer (HNC). Saliva has emerged as a novel liquid biopsy representing a potential source of biomarkers. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the overall diagnostic accuracy of salivary DNA methylation for detecting HNC. Pub...

Introduction: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on accessory mental foramen (AMF) research using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging. Methods: A systematic review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Thomas Reuter's Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases according to the Preferred Reporting Item...

Oral carcinogenesis is a multistep process characterized by a summation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations in key regulatory genes. The silencing of genes by aberrant promoter hypermethylation is thought to be an important epigenetic event in cancer development and progression which has great potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis...

Background: Educational Climate (EC) may determine teacher and student behaviour. Our aim was to evaluate EC longitudinally in a period of 'curricular transition' from traditional (teacher-centred learning) to Bologna curricula (interactive student-centred learning). Methods: The 'Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure' (DREEM) questionnaire...

Background: To perform a morphologic classification based on the results of bone augmentation after a distraction osteogenesis. Material and methods: Thirty-four (34) patients (24 women and 10 men; mean age, 47.1 years (SD=9.5); age range, 23 to 62 years) underwent a total of 42 alveolar ridge distractions before the placement of a total of 89 d...

Background: Current therapeutic options in the course of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers (mCRPC) reinforce the need for reliable tools to characterize the tumor in a dynamic way. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have emerged as a viable solution to the problem, whereby patients with a variety of solid tumors, including PC, often do...

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been recognized as an important risk factor in cancer. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence and effect size of association between salivary HPV DNA and the risk of developing oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Methods: A systematic literature sear...

MET alterations may provide a potential biomarker to evaluate patients who will benefit from treatment with MET inhibitors. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the utility of a liquid biopsy-based strategy to assess MET alterations in cancer patients. We analyzed MET amplification in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) from 174 p...

Background: Saliva represents a promising non-invasive source of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis cancer. This meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic value of salivary biomarkers for detection of malignant non-oral tumors to better define the value of saliva as an alternative liquid biopsy. Materials and Methods: We performed a systemat...

Oral cavity cancer is the most frequent malignancy of the head and neck. Unfortunately, despite educational interventions for prevention and early diagnosis, oral cancer patients are often diagnosed in advanced stages associated with poor prognosis and life expectancy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find noninvasive biomarkers to improve ear...

Salivary microRNAs (miRNAs) are of high interest as diagnostic biomarkers for non-oral cancer. However, little is known about their value for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. Our study aims to characterize salivary miRNAs in order to identify non-invasive markers for CRC diagnosis. The screening of 754 miRNAs was performed in saliva samples from...

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages and is associated with poor survival rates. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) present in liquid biopsies could be potential biomarkers for non-invasive OSCC diagnosis. Here, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the overall diagnostic accur...

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite numerous advances in therapeutic approaches, this cancer has a poor prognosis when it is diagnosed at late stages. Therefore, the scientific effort is nowadays directed towards the development of new non-invasive and dynamic bio...

Background: To assess the prevalence and severity of caries in 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren, and to analyse the related risk factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on a random sample of 1843 schoolchildren aged 12 and 15 from Galicia (northwest of Spain). Self-administered questionnaire and dental clinical examination were...

Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. Carcinogenesis is a complex process, in which heterogeneity plays an important role in the development and progression of the disease. This review provides an overview of the current biological and clinical significance of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating tumour DNA (ct...

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as excellent candidates for cancer biomarkers. Several recent studies have highlighted the potential use of saliva for the identification of miRNAs as novel biomarkers, which represents a great opportunity to improve diagnosis and monitor general health and disease. This review summarises the mechanisms o...

Objective The mental foramen (MF) hosts main neurovascular structures, making it of crucial importance for surgical procedures. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the dimensions and location of the MF. Materials and methods Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 344 patients were examined for MF dimensions, as well as for t...

Statistical analysis including mental foramen descriptive data, paired comparisons t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. (DOCX)

Prediction of the mental foramen dimensions. (DOCX)

Interobserver and intraobserver variability. (DOCX)

Prediction of the mental foramen location. (DOCX)

PurposeTo analyze anatomical variations of the greater palatine canal (GPC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods This study included 110 CBCTs. Axial slices were used to determine the shape of GPC and the number of lesser palatine foramina (LPF). Sagittal slices were used to assess the shape of the GPC and the number of lesser...

The role of the BDJ is to inform its readers of ideas, opinions, developments and key issues in dentistry - clinical, practical and scientific - stimulating interest, debate and discussion amongst dentists of all disciplines.

The nasopalatine canal is an anatomic limitation that interferes with implant placement when ridge resorption is present. The nasopalatine canal is connected to the nasal cavity through the foramina of Stenson, and to the oral cavity through the incisive foramen. The nasopalatine canal contains the terminal branch of the descending nasopalatine art...

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Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is increasingly being used as a diagnostic tool in dentistry, especially in the field of oral surgery. Its high resolution three dimensional images reveal anatomic structures more clearly. The mandibular canal hosts the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels, which are critical anatomic structures for surgical pro...

The analysis of saliva as a diagnostic approach for systemic diseases was proposed just two decades ago, but recently great interest in the field has emerged because of its revolutionary potential as a liquid biopsy and its usefulness as a non-invasive sampling method. Multiple molecules isolated in saliva have been proposed as cancer biomarkers fo...

Introduction: The goals of this study were to (i) describe the use of the Jigsaw approach for the resolution of clinical cases by undergraduate students in the subject 'Special Needs in Dentistry' and (ii) assess the impact of its implementation on academic performance and the students' perception. Materials and methods: The Jigsaw approach was...

The role of the BDJ is to inform its readers of ideas, opinions, developments and key issues in dentistry - clinical, practical and scientific - stimulating interest, debate and discussion amongst dentists of all disciplines.

Background: The mental foramen (MF) is a small foramen located in the anterolateral region of the mandible through which the mental nerve and vessels emerge. The knowledge on the anatomic characteristics and variations of MF is very important in surgical procedures involving that area. The aim of this study was two-fold: firstly, to analyze the an...

The study aim of this was to define the critical anatomic region of the premaxilla by evaluating dimensions of nasopalatine canal, buccal bone plate (BBP) and palatal bone plate (PBP). 230 CBCTs were selected with both, one or no upper central incisors present (+/+, -/+, -/-) and periodontal condition was evaluated. T-student test, ANOVA, Pearson´s...

To analyze greater palatine canal (GPC) dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to evaluate the position of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) with respect to various landmarks selected in relation to dental status. This study included 150 CBCTs. Axial slices were used to determine the position and dimensions of the GPF. S...

This descriptive retrospective study analyzed differences among sagittal, coronal and axial NC groups based on the dimensions of nasopalatine canal (NC), buccal bone plate (BBP) and palatal bone plate (PBP) to canal. Measurements were made on 224 CBCTs for NC, BBP and PBP on the three anatomic planes at three levels: level 1, when the incisive fora...

Cone-Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) is a technique for capturing images of the maxillofacial region that provides tissue views with low radiation doses. Dental implant planning and management of endodontic problems are some of its main applications. In this work, we propose an automatic methodology to analyze the volumetric CBCT data in order to s...

Objectives: To examine the presence and morphologic characteristics of bifid mandibular canals (BMCs) and retromolar foramens (RFs) using cone beam CT (CBCT) and to determine their visualization on panoramic radiographs (PANs). Methods: A sample of 225 CBCT examinations was analysed for the presence of BMCs, as well as length, height, diameter a...

For dental implant treatment planning and placement, a precise anatomic description of the nasopalatine canal (NC) is necessary. This descriptive retrospective study evaluated dimensions of the NC and buccal bone plate (BBP) and the tridimensional association of the anatomic variants of NC, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This study inc...

Purpose: To evaluate haemodynamic changes during dental checkups and preventive treatments and establish the relationship between haemodynamic parameters and psychometric tests. Materials and methods: Seventy-one paediatric patients (39 boys and 32 girls ages 6 to 14 years, mean age 8.04) scheduled to receive dental procedures fulfilled the incl...

Background: The aim of the present study is to assess in situ substantivity of a single mouthrinse with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on saliva and on undisturbed de novo plaque-like biofilm (PL-biofilm), differentiating between two times of application: 1) CHX mouthrinse in the morning; and 2) CHX mouthrinse at night. Methods: The study participants...

We have analysed retrospectively whether the less invasive zygomatic buttress graft is able to meet the dimensional and biological requirements of preimplant augmentation of bone. A total of 273 patients were treated by zygomatic buttress graft, of whom 42 (12 men and 30 women) met the criteria for inclusion. Intensity of pain was judged by a visua...

Microvascular supply is of fundamental importance to the survival and integration of grafting. Since the autogenous bone is still the gold standard for osseous augmentation, the aim of this study was to analyze the initial osseous, angiogenic and inflammatory response and subsequent osseointegration after implantation of dentin and beta-tricalcium...

The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the suitability of segmental mandibular sandwich osteotomy combined with an interpositional autograft to meet the dimensional requirements of preimplant bone augmentation in cases of a severely atrophic mandible. A total of 27 consecutive patients (6 men and 21 women) were included in the pre...

The aim of this study is to describe the treatment outcome after alveolar ridge augmentation in the atrophic posterior mandible by segmental sandwich osteotomy combined with an interpositional autograft prior to placement of endosseous implants. Thirteen consecutive patients (five males, mean age 48 years, and eight females, mean age 61 years) were...

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 333–342 Worldwide, oral cancer has one of the lowest survival rates and poor prognosis remains unaffected despite recent therapeutic advances. Reducing diagnostic delay to achieve earlier detection is a cornerstone to improve survival. Thus, intervention strategies to minimize diagnostic delays resulting from patient factor...

Management of orbital and mid-facial fractures requires a thorough ophthalmic evaluation and precise imaging. A principle goal of therapy is to anatomically reduce fracture segments and to restore a normal orbital volume as soon as possible. Diagnostic advances such as new surgical and imaging techniques have dramatically improved both the function...

This clinical case describes mandibular osteomyelitis in a healthy 31-year-old man as a severe complication following third molar removal. Recurrent abscess formations were treated with intensive therapy involving antibiotics, surgical debridement of the affected region, and hyperbaric oxygen. In the follow-up, despite microbiologic study to determ...

To assess the prevalence of speech and swallowing impairment after radical surgery for oral and oropharyngeal cancer from the patient's viewpoint and to examine the association of these functional alterations with selected clinical characteristics regarding patients, tumors, and oncologic treatment. Cross-sectional, multicenter study using a self-a...

Surgical procedures in the head and neck region require a detailed knowledge of this region's complex anatomy. Anatomic changes due to tumor growth present special challenges for the surgeon. In addition to the clinical examination, which is still of fundamental importance, imaging procedures such as computer-aided surgical navigation technology ar...

The colour of a lesion is due to its nature and to its histological substratum. In order to ease diagnosis, oral cavity lesions have been classified according to their colour in: white, red, white and red, bluish and/or purple, brown, grey and/or black lesions. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such a classification for yellow lesions. So,...

This clinical report presents a modified distraction technique to achieve height in the vector of distraction. The success of distraction osteogenesis depends on both biologic and biomechanical factors. The focus in this case is on correcting the direction of distraction; incorrect distraction direction is a frequent complication associated with di...

This retrospective study compared 2 types of rigid locking plates (THORP and UniLOCK; Stratec Medical, Oberdorf, Switzerland) in 107 patients undergoing reconstruction for bridging mandibular defects following ablative tumor surgery. From January 1993 to December 2000, 107 patients were reconstructed following ablative tumor surgery with 57 THORP p...