Tongue necrosis secondary to giant cell arteritis

Tongue necrosis is a rare clinical finding because of its rich vascularisation. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most frequent cause of it, and when present, it is usually one side affected. We describe a patient with several months of constitutional syndrome; during that period, she develops headache followed by tongue necrosis, which lead to clinical suspicion of GCA, later confirmed by a temporal artery biopsy. Before the biopsy, she was treated with corticosteroids. We discuss this illness and tongue necrosis as a rare manifestation to consider.

Prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in feral cats and its risk factors

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in urban feral cats in South Korea and analysed its risk factors.

METHODS

Three hundred and forty-five feral cats that visited the hospital for neutering using a trap-neuter-return approach were screened for feline chronic gingivostomatitis based on clinical criteria. In addition, we determined if body weight, sex and the presence of tongue lesions are risk factors for feline chronic gingivostomatitis. The difference in severity due to the presence or absence of risk factors, and the relationship between gross findings and histopathological lesions, were analysed by grading lesion severity.

RESULTS

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis was diagnosed in 92 cats. Disease prevalence did not significantly differ with body weight and sex but was significantly related to tongue lesions.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The prevalence of feline chronic gingivostomatitis in urban feral cats in South Korea was 26.6%. It was significantly more prevalent in cats that had tongue lesions. Severity was also significantly associated with tongue lesions. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis may be associated with an infectious agent that causes tongue lesions.

Pseudotumoral calcinosis of the spine in systemic sclerosis - an atypical location

Pseudotumoral calcinosis, particularly around the spine, is a rare complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The authors report a case of a 60-year-old woman with a limited cutaneous SSc observed for a 4-month history of back pain. Physical examination revealed a left paravertebral mass measuring around 7cm in the longest axis. The computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of calcified mass in the left paravertebral muscle, extending from the 12th dorsal to the 3rd lumbar vertebra. A diagnosis of pseudotumoral calcinosis secondary to SSc was made. Symptomatic treatment with analgesics allowed a significant improvement of clinical symptoms. Subcutaneous calcinosis is a common complication of SSc, however the pseudotumoral form remains extremely rare, particularly around the dorsolumbar spine. Treatment is limited to analgesic therapy or, in more severe cases, to surgical excision. Follow-up should be conducted to rule out complications.

[Ectopic thyroid gland: clinical features and diagnostics in children]

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND: The frequency of ectopia of thyroid gland among all types of dysgenesis varies from 30 to 70%, its most common localization is the root of the tongue. Otorhinolaryngologists, oncologists, pediatricians can take lingual ectopia for hypertrophy of the lingual tonsil or fibroma of the tongue root, which leads to unreasonable surgical treatment. Thyroid scintigraphy plays a key role in the diagnosis of ectopia.

AIM

AIM: To assess the etiological structure of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and demonstrate the clinical course in patients with ectopic thyroid tissue in the root of the tongue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of patients with CH was examined. All patients underwent neck ultrasound and radionuclide imaging. The examination was carried out against the background of the abolition of hormone replacement therapy for 14 days or before its initiation. Patients with ectopia in the root of the tongue underwent videofibrolaryngoscopy. Some patients underwent a genetic study with using genes panel of a panel of candidate genes responsible for the development of CH using the NGS method. The molecular genetic study was conducted to some patients, next-generation sequencing with the genes panel.

RESULTS

RESULTS: The study included 73 patients with primary CH aged from 2 weeks to 17.3 years: 69 children were diagnosed based on the results of neonatal screening, 4 children with thyroid ectopia were first examined older than 6 years. The median age of patients at the time of the examination was 6.9 years [4.8; 10.0]. By data of ultrasound aplasia was diagnosed in 47.9% of patients, one child had hemiagenesis and ectopic thyroid tissue of various localization was detected in 26.0% of  children. In 24.7% of children thyroid tissue was found in a typical location. Scintigraphy confirmed thyroid aplasia in 65.7% of children. Examination revealed various variants of ectopically located thyroid tissue in 31 children (42.4%): thyroid ectopia in the root of the tongue in 25 children (80.6%), ectopia in the sublingual region in 5 children (16.2%), double ectopia was detected in 1 child. The median level of TSH in newborns with ectopic thyroid gland was 124 IU/ml and was significantly lower than in children with aplasia — 219 IU/ml, p<0.05. On the other side the level of TG in children with ectopia was significantly higher than in children with aplasia — 37.12 ng/ml versus 0.82 ng/ml, p><0.05. CONCLUSION: Combination of two methods is the best diagnostic approach to determine the etiology of CH — ultrasound and scintigraphy studies compensates deficiencies of each other. Our study demonstrates the importance of scintigraphy in children with CH and patients with the formation of the root of the tongue and the anterior surface of the neck in order to avoid unnecessary removal of the thyroid gland. In case of confirmation of thyroid ectopia in the root of the tongue and in the absence of symptoms of obstruction or bleeding, it is recommended to refer the patient to an endocrinologist for conservative treatment. ><0.05. On the other side the level of TG in children with ectopia was significantly higher than in children with aplasia — 37.12 ng/ml versus 0.82 ng/ml, p< 0.05.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION: Combination of two methods is the best diagnostic approach to determine the etiology of CH — ultrasound and scintigraphy studies compensates deficiencies of each other. Our study demonstrates the importance of scintigraphy in children with CH and patients with the formation of the root of the tongue and the anterior surface of the neck in order to avoid unnecessary removal of the thyroid gland. In case of confirmation of thyroid ectopia in the root of the tongue and in the absence of symptoms of obstruction or bleeding, it is recommended to refer the patient to an endocrinologist for conservative treatment.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE): a rare presentation and case report

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is a rare, benign, and self-limiting ulcerative lesion, with the tongue being the most common site of occurrence and traumatic inflictions being the common etiology. Case report: A 45-year-old female reported to the dental operatory with a complaint of pain on the left side of her tongue for the past 8 months. Her history revealed that a small ulcer had gradually grown to be 2 cm x 1.5 cm on presentation. She indicated that the ulcer often interfered with her maxillary left canine while occluding. She also gave a history of a tobacco chewing habit for 15 years which she stopped 6 years ago. Clinically she had a single erythematous ulcer with irregular borders and raised margins. The client was treated with surgical excision of the lesion. The excised lesion was confirmed histologically to have eosinophil rich cells and was diagnosed as TUGSE. Conclusion: TUGSE should be recognized and not neglected as it closely resembles malignancies of the oral cavity. It also has a good prognosis and heals rapidly after the surgical excision or on its own with time, which may range from a few weeks to a year.

The tongue features associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public problem closely associated with numerous oral complications, such as coated tongue, xerostomia, salivary dysfunction, etc. Tongue diagnosis plays an important role in clinical prognosis and treatment of diabetes in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study investigated discriminating tongue features to distinguish between type 2 DM and non-DM individuals through non-invasive TCM tongue diagnosis.The tongue features for 199 patients with type 2 DM, and 372 non-DM individuals, serving as control, are extracted by the automatic tongue diagnosis system (ATDS). A total of 9 tongue features, namely, tongue shape, tongue color, fur thickness, fur color, saliva, tongue fissure, ecchymosis, teeth mark, and red dot. The demography, laboratory, physical examination, and tongue manifestation data between 2 groups were compared.Patients with type 2 DM possessed significantly larger covering area of yellow fur (58.5% vs 22.5%, P < .001), thick fur (50.8% vs 29.2%, P < .001), and bluish tongue (P < .001) than those of the control group. Also, a significantly higher portion (72.7% vs 55.2%, P < .05) of patients with long-term diabetics having yellow fur color than the short-term counterparts was observed.The high prevalence of thick fur, yellow fur color, and bluish tongue in patient with type 2 DM revealed that TCM tongue diagnosis can serve as a preliminary screening procedure in the early detection of type 2 DM in light of its simple and non-invasive nature, followed by other more accurate testing process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt in applying non-invasive TCM tongue diagnosis to the discrimination of type 2 DM patients and non-DM individuals.

[Failures and tongue rehabilitation]

When confronted with difficult-to-eradicate dysfunctions and parafunctions, speech therapy most often proves a reliable ally to control the functional environment of the dental arches. However, a number of factors ranging from psychological issues to anatomical ENT obstructions, from genetic anomalies to iatrogenic procedures, account for the occasional mixed results achieved using this approach. In addition, our own treatment results can also be jeopardized or even obliterated by a recalcitrant tongue or one which has been inadequately provided for. The author will analyze the different factors involved through a series of clinical cases in order to outline her thinking regarding this organ, which can be either a driving force behind our treatments or a force for destruction.

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT)

A 12-year-old African girl presented with multiple, sharply bordered hyperpigmented patches predominantly on the dorsal, tip and lateral aspects of the tongue since 1 year (Figs 1 and 2). On clinical examination, we found an obese adolescent girl with a BMI: 26.5 kg/m(2) ( > P97) with acanthosis nigricans of the neck. No medications were taken. Vitamin B12, liver tests and kidney function were normal. There was a decreased serum iron, 25OH vitamin D and zinc. Hyperinsulinism and heterozygosity for HbS (32%) were detected. Menarche: 12 years. No other family members were known with this anomaly.

An unusual presentation of a lingual dermoid cyst

Dermoid cysts are rare lesions of the head and neck that usually present in children as an asymptomatic, slowly growing mass. We report a case that demonstrates that dermoid cysts can present later in life as a recurrent acute infection. Our patient was a 48-year-old man with a 22-year history of recurrent abscesses of the tongue and floor of the mouth that had required a tracheotomy and multiple hospitalizations. Magnetic resonance imaging performed between acute episodes revealed the presence of a 1.8-cm lesion within the tongue musculature. The patient underwent resection, and pathology was consistent with a lingual dermoid cyst. At 2 years of follow-up, he experienced no recurrence of symptoms.

Ectopic salivary gland of the base of the tongue: a rare cause of neonatal respiratory distress

Neonatal upper airway obstruction is a life-threatening condition and requires rapid assessment and effective treatment. Malformations of the upper airway of a newborn can lead to acute respiratory distress. The aim of the present paper is to report the case of a newborn with respiratory distress due to a tongue base mass, which was removed surgically. The patient needed a tracheostomy tube for only three days and then could breathe spontaneously. However, he had swallowing problems, which decreased gradually over 9 months. Histopathologically, the mass was found to consist of mucous salivary glands, and was recorded as an ectopic salivary gland, which is extremely rare among the types of masses that may cause upper airway obstruction in a newborn.

Reversible oro-lingual dyskinesia related to lithium intoxication

PURPOSE

To report the first case of Taiwanese with lithium intoxication presenting as oro-lingual dyskinesia.

CASE REPORT

A 68-year-old man had bipolar disorder with chronic lithium treatment. He had acute conscious disturbance, atrial flutter, myoclunus of limbs, and oro-lingual dyskinesia. Biochemistry study revealed elevated blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and lithium level (3.43 Eq/L). The lithium is discontinued and he received conservational treatment. Along with reduction of serum lithium level, his involuntary movement subsided following by clear consciousness. He had no residual neurological deficit in 3 years of follow up.

CONCLUSION

Oro-lingual dyskinesia is a rare presentation of lithium intoxication. This case reminds us such diagnostic possibilities especially in elder patients who receive a chronic lithium therapy.

Long-term results of brachytherapy in early mobile tongue cancer with 10-year minimal follow-up

AIM

To retrospectively analyze the long-term toxicities of low-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (LDR-BT) with related prognostic factors for patients with early mobile tongue cancer (T1/2N0M0) at a minimum of 10 years' follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of 187 patients treated with LDR-BT between 1980 and 2000, out of whom 25 were treated with additional prior external beam irradiation, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Overall survival at 15 and 20 years was 88.4% and 76.2%, respectively. Complications included tongue ulcer (26%), tongue erosion (3%), tongue atrophy (2%), bone exposure (15%), and osteoradionecrosis (4%). No patient presented xerostomia or taste disorders. Multivariate analysis revealed that tongue ulcer and the use of spacer were significantly associated with bone exposure and osteoradionecrosis. Local recurrence was demonstrated in 15 (8%) cases, 93% of which were salvaged by operation. Fifty patients (27%) experienced neck metastasis.

CONCLUSION

LDR-BT is an acceptable treatment option, with low rates of long-term toxicity.

Lingual thyroid: a rare cause of difficult intubation

This case report is about a patient with an oropharyngeal mass presenting to our hospital for biopsy under general anesthesia. Because of the great risk of failure of mask ventilation and direct laryngoscopy, an awake fiberoptic intubation was performed successfully. The biopsy revealed a thyroid tissue leading to the diagnosis of ectopic lingual thyroid.

Follicular variant of papillary carcinoma arising from lingual thyroid

Malignant transformation of ectopic lingual thyroid tissue is an uncommon event; only 43 cases have been reported in the literature. Only 10 of these cases were papillary carcinomas, in contrast to normal thyroid gland neoplasms, of which papillary tumors form the predominant group. We present a case of a follicular variant of papillary carcinoma originating from the lingual thyroid, along with a review of the literature. Our patient was treated with surgical excision followed by (131)I therapy. To date, only 2 other cases of a follicular variant of lingual thyroid tumor have been reported.

Infected lingual osseous choristoma. Report of a case and review of the literature

Osseous choristoma is a rare, benign lesion of the oral cavity occurring usually in the tongue. It appears as a tumorous mass of normal bony structure with mature cells in an ectopic position. The case of a 72 years Caucasian male is presented and analyzed along with 52 similar cases reported in the English literature between 1967 and 2007. Lingual choristoma shows a female predilection, whereas the commonest anatomic location is the posterior third of the tongue, occurring at or close to the foramen caecum and the circumvallate papillae. Histologically the lesions show signs of a well-circumscribed mass of vital bone located under the surface oral epithelium. Some lesions represent developmental malformations, whereas others may be reactive lesions after trauma or chronic irritation. Treatment of lingual osseous choristoma consists of simple excision.

Lingual hematoma threatening airway obstruction in a patient on oral anticoagulation with warfarin

Warfarin sodium is a commonly used oral anticoagulant agent. It has been well documented that, when effective anticoagulant therapy is employed in treating thromboembolic disease, hemorrhage is a possible complication that can be spontaneous without a history of trauma. The numerous sites of bleeding are the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts, the central nervous system, the nose (epistaxis), the penis (priapism), the retroperitoneum, wounds (surgical or traumatic), and subcutaneous tissues during warfarin therapy, but the hemorrhage rarely causes bleeding compromising a patient's airway. We report a case of a spontaneous lingual hematoma that developed during oral anticoagulation therapy. This life-threatening complication of warfarin therapy and its successful management without surgery indicates that observation, close monitoring and reversal of anticoagulation can be a reasonable management option.

Partial atrophic tongue other than median rhomboid glossitis

A group of 23 patients with partial atrophic change of the tongue was examined for candidiasis. All of them reported pain in the tongue on eating hot or spicy food. The intensity of the tongue pain was evaluated before and after treatment using a visual analogue scale. Of the 23 patients, 10 (43.5%) had predisposing factors for candidiasis such as diabetes mellitus and anaemia. In the culture examination, candidal species were isolated in 65.2%, all Candida albicans. Direct cytological examination performed in 10 of the 23 patients revealed fungal pseudohyphae in 8 patients. After antifungal treatment, tongue pain had disappeared or improved markedly in 82.6%. Simultaneously, the filiform papilla of the atrophic site was observed to have begun to regenerate in these patients. Candida infection should be suspected in patients with partial atrophic tongue associated with pain on eating.