• Title/Summary/Keyword: Swelling of unknown origin

Search Result 4, Processing Time 0.024 seconds

Dracunculiasis in oral and maxillofacial surgery

  • Kim, Soung Min
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
    • /
    • v.42 no.2
    • /
    • pp.67-76
    • /
    • 2016
  • Dracunculiasis, otherwise known as guinea worm disease (GWD), is caused by infection with the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. This nematode is transmitted to humans exclusively via contaminated drinking water. The transmitting vectors are Cyclops copepods (water fleas), which are tiny free-swimming crustaceans usually found abundantly in freshwater ponds. Humans can acquire GWD by drinking water that contains vectors infected with guinea worm larvae. This disease is prevalent in some of the most deprived areas of the world, and no vaccine or medicine is currently available. International efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis began in the early 1980s. Most dentists and maxillofacial surgeons have neglected this kind of parasite infection. However, when performing charitable work in developing countries near the tropic lines or other regions where GWD is endemic, it is important to consider GWD in cases of swelling or tumors of unknown origin. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical criteria, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and prevention of dracunculiasis. It also summarizes important factors for maxillofacial surgeons to consider.

Persistent Gingival Swelling and Fistula Obscured Horizontal Root Fracture: A Case Report

  • Juyeon, Cho
    • Journal of Korean Dental Science
    • /
    • v.15 no.2
    • /
    • pp.147-151
    • /
    • 2022
  • Horizontal root fracture (HRF) is a result of trauma to teeth and periodontium, which implies severe injury to cementum, dentin, and pulp. This is a rare case of HRF in the maxillary lateral incisor of a 62-year-old male who only presented persistent gingival swelling, fistula, and dull pain at first. An apical radiolucency of unknown origin turned out to be a result of hidden HRF at the coronal third level that was later visualized radiographically during endodontic treatment. The tooth was scheduled to be extracted upon the patient's agreement. The purpose of this report is to alert clinicians about the importance of diagnosing HRF through thorough clinical and radiographic examinations. Where there is persistent fistula without proper cause, HRF should be considered as a causative factor, and the diagnosis could be effective with aid of cone beam computed tomography, electronic root apex locator, as well as other clinical signs.

A Case of Pleural Effusion due to Vasculitis in Scleroderma (혈관염에 의한 양측성 흉막염이 발생한 공피증 1예)

  • Lee, Young Ho;Sim, Jae Jeong;Kang, Kyung Ho;Song, Gwan Gyu
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.43 no.5
    • /
    • pp.786-791
    • /
    • 1996
  • Systemic sclerosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown origin charicterized by degenerative fibrotic and inflammatory changes in the skin, vessels, joints, muscles, and visceral organs. Involvement of the lung in systemic sclerosis is common, but pleural effusion is rare. Although vasculitis commonly accompanies many connective tissue disorders, it has been rarely reported in systemic sclerosis. A 43-year-old woman, with a 10-year history of Raynaud's phenomenon, was admitted due to right chest pain. Her hands showed diffuse thickening and swelling of skin. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusions and esophageal manometry showed hypotonic peristalsis and low lower esophageal sphincter tone compatible with scleroderma esophagus. Antinuclear antibodies were present (titer>1 : 160) with a speckled pattern. She was positive for rheumatoid factor, anti scl-70 and RNP antibodies, but negative for anti-Ro, La, and Sm antibodies. Histology of the pleura revealed the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculiti. After adminisrration of prednisolone 30 mg/day, her chest symptom was improved. We report a case of systemic sclerosis with pleural effusions due to leukocytoclastic vasculitis with review of the literatures.

  • PDF

Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome without skin manifestations (마이코플라즈마 감염에 의한 피부 병변을 동반하지 않은 Stevens-Johnson 증후군 1예)

  • Choi, Sun-Hee;Lee, Yu-Min;Rha, Yeong-Ho
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.52 no.2
    • /
    • pp.247-250
    • /
    • 2009
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) presents with widespread blisters, erythematous or purpuric macules, and one or more mucous membrane erosions. Various etiologic factors, including infection, vaccination, drug administration, systemic diseases, physical agents, and food have been implicated as causes of SJS. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most common infectious agent to cause SJS in children. In recent literature, M. pneumoniae-induced SJS with mucositis that lacks the typical target lesions has been described. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy with swelling, peeling of the lips, and red eyes with photosensitivity. On physical examination, he showed severe oral mucositis and conjunctivitis with no evidence of skin lesions. Mycoplasma antibody, which was positive with titers of more than 1:2,560. For patients presenting with fever and mucositis of unknown origin, M. pneumoniae should be considered.