Mandibular lesions of vasoocclusive origin in sickle cell hemoglobinopathy

Prevalence of orofacial alterations in patients with sickle-cell disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of orofacial alterations in sickle-cell disease (SCD) and to compare it with the general population.

STUDY DESIGN

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. The search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, gray literature, and references of the included articles.

RESULTS

A total of 770 records were found, and 28 studies were selected. In SCD, the prevalence of decreased bone density was 57% (95% CI: 35%-80%), with Q: P < .01 and I² = 95%; for stepladder pattern was 30% (IC: 13%-47%), Q: P < .01 and I²: 93%; for delayed eruption was 20% (95% CI: 6%-34%), with Q: P < .01 and I² = 86, Q: P < .01 and I² = 99%; and for malocclusion, 66% (95% CI: 39%-92%), Q: P < .01 and I² = 98%. A high risk of bias was observed in relation to the sample size of the studies. A limited number of articles compared the prevalence of orofacial alterations in patients with SCD and healthy individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased bone density, malocclusion, orofacial pain, tooth necrosis, eruption delay, periodontal disease, and neuropathies may be present in patients with SCD with variable prevalence.

Oral Manifestation of Systemic Diseases

The US Surgeon General's report Oral Health in America highlighted ways in which oral health and systemic conditions are associated with each other. An oral examination can reveal signs and symptoms associated with systemic diseases. In this article, multiple systemic diseases including but not limited to viral and immune modulated conditions and associated oral symptoms are discussed.

Evaluation of Mandible Fractures in Patients With Sickle Cell Anemia-A Nationwide Study

PURPOSE

Sickle cell anemia is the most commonly inherited blood disorder in the United States. Despite its prevalence, clinicians know little about the extent of its impact on orofacial manifestations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with diagnoses of mandible fracture and sickle cell anemia admitted from 2004 through 2014 were identified using the National Inpatient Sample. Patient demographics, fracture regions, and complications were characterized by descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Fifty-one of 48,464 patients admitted for mandible fracture had sickle cell anemia. The mean age of the identified patients was 25 years (range, 4 to 58 yr). Of all admitted patients, mandible angle fracture was the most common (19%), followed by fracture of the body of the mandible. Seventy-five percent of cases reviewed were treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

CONCLUSIONS

Most mandible fractures in patients with sickle cell anemia were located in the angle of the mandible. Complications were minimal and outcomes were satisfactory. Aseptic necrosis of the jaw was a frequent complication of mandible fracture in patients with sickle cell anemia. These results provide clinicians with a better understanding of the distribution and hospital course of patients with sickle cell anemia and facial fractures.

Oral Changes in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia of Dentistry Interest

AbstractSickle cell anemia is determined by the presence of S hemoglobin in homozygous, autosomal recessive and characterized by the presence of red cells with abnormal shape (sickle shape). The clinical manifestations may vary from one individual to another, and it may appear in the first year of the patient’s life, which emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis as the main measure of positive effect in the care of people with the disease. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the literature on oral alterations of dental surgeon’s interest in patients with sickle cell anemia. The search for the key words “sickle cell anemia” and “oral manifestations” was carried out in the Scientific Electronic Library Online database (SciELO), linked to the Virtual Health Library (VHL). The oral manifestations described in the literature were: paleness of the oral mucosa, smooth, bleached and despapilated tongue or jaundice, delays in dental eruption, periodontal disease, hypo mineralization of the enamel, pulp calcifications, hypercementose, aseptic pulp necrosis, mandibular nerve neuropathy, osteomyelitis and orofacial pain. People with the disease may also exhibit mouth ulcers, particularly in the gums. Anemia causes a high degree of suffering for patients, who deserve special attention from all the multiprofessional team that attends them. Therefore, it is important that the dental surgeon understands and knows the symptoms of the disease, as well as its implications for oral health, as well as the best treatment. The adoption of constant care, with prevention measures in oral care and health, is important to inhibit the occurrence of dental infections.Keywords: Anemia, Sickle Cell. Dental Care. Oral Manifestations.ResumoA anemia falciforme é determinada pela presença da hemoglobina S em homozigose, de caráter autossômico recessivo e caracterizada pela presença de células vermelhas com formato anormal (forma de foice). As manifestações clínicas variam de acordo com o indivíduo e ao longo do percurso da doença, pois pode surgir no primeiro ano de vida do paciente, o que enfatiza a importância do diagnóstico precoce como principal medida de efeito positivo na assistência às pessoas com a doença. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre as alterações bucais de interesse do cirurgião-dentista em pacientes com anemia falciforme. A busca pelas palavras chaves “anemia falciforme” e “manifestações bucais” foi realizada na base de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO, vinculada à Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - BVS. As manifestações bucais descritas na literatura foram: palidez da mucosa oral, língua lisa, descorada e despapilada ou icterícia, atrasos na erupção dentária, doença periodontal, hipomineralização do esmalte, calcificações pulpares, hipercementose, necrose pulpar asséptica, neuropatia do nervo mandibular, osteomielite e dor orofacial. Os portadores também podem exibir úlceras bucais, particularmente na gengiva. A anemia provoca alto grau de sofrimento aos pacientes que merecem atenção especial de toda a equipe multiprofissional que os assiste. Desta forma, é importante que o cirurgião-dentista conheça a doença, assim como suas implicações para a saúde bucal e a condução do melhor tratamento. A adoção de cuidados, com medidas de promoção e prevenção em saúde bucal, é importante para evitar a ocorrência de infecções dentárias.Palavras-chave: Anemia Falciforme. Assistência Odontológica. Manifestações Bucais.

Bilateral mandibular osteomyelitis mimicking periapical cysts in a patient with sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hemoglobin disorder that occurs more commonly among Afro-descendants. The authors report the case of a 28-year-old Afro-descendent male patient with the diagnosis of homozygotic sickle cell disease (SCD) referred for evaluation of mandibular lesions. The patient's main complaints included pain and bilateral teeth mobility. An intraoral examination revealed gingiva recession affecting the lower molars with extensive root exposure. A panoramic x-ray showed two radiolucent symmetrical periapical lesions evolving both the first and the second lower molars, bilaterally. The diagnostic hypotheses comprised odontogenic infection, among others. Besides antimicrobial therapy, the two molars of both sides were extracted and bone was collected for histopathological and microbiological analyses. Osteomyelitis was diagnosed, and Streptococcus viridans was recovered from the culture media. Mandibular osteomyelitis should be considered as a diagnosis in patients with SCD. The present case offers an alert to clinicians about the importance of knowing jaw lesions related to SCA.

Oral and Dental Considerations in Management of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that primarily affects the black population. This anemia is due to a homozygous state of the abnormal hemoglobin S. An alteration occurs on the DNA molecule involving the substitution of the amino acid valine for glutamic acid at the sixth position on the beta polypeptide chain. This biochemical variation on the DNA molecule creates a physiological change that causes sickle-shaped red blood cells to be produced. The sickle-shaped cells are the result of the hemoglobin S being deoxygenated. This case report presents a case of 16-year-old female with sickle cell disease and its dental management.

How to cite this article: Acharya S. Oral and Dental Considerations in Management of Sickle Cell Anemia. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(2):141-144.

Practical guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with cancer

PURPOSE

This article discusses osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and offers health care professionals practical guidelines and recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of ONJ in cancer patients receiving bisphosphonate treatment.

METHODS

A panel of experts representing oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, endocrinology, and medical oncology was convened to review the literature and clinical evidence, identify risk factors for ONJ, and develop clinical guidelines for the prevention, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment of ONJ in patients with cancer. The guidelines are based on experience and have not been evaluated within the context of controlled clinical trials.

RESULTS

ONJ is a clinical entity with many possible etiologies; historically identified risk factors include corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, trauma, infection, and cancer. With emerging concern for potential development of ONJ in patients receiving bisphosphonates, the panel recommends a dental examination before patients begin therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates. Dental treatments and procedures that require bone healing should be completed before initiating intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. Patients should be instructed on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular dental assessments. For patients currently receiving bisphosphonates who require dental procedures, there is no evidence to suggest that interrupting bisphosphonate therapy will prevent or lower the risk of ONJ. Frequent clinical assessments and conservative dental management are suggested for these patients. For treatment of patients who develop ONJ, a conservative, nonsurgical approach is strongly recommended.

CONCLUSION

An increased awareness of the potential risk of ONJ in patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy is needed. Close coordination between the treating physician and oral surgeon and/or a dental specialist is strongly recommended in making treatment decisions.

Bone-vasculature interactions in the mandible: is bone an angiogenic tissue?

Starting from early stages of craniofacial development, the leading role of vasculature, in particular endothelial progenitor cells, becomes apparent. They are probably the cells that synthesize the appropriate bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), that precedes neural crest cell migration and determines their final destination and skeletal development. During postnatal osteosynthesis in the mandible, angiogenesis similarly goes before osteosynthesis, regulates this process with the production of BMP-2 and serves as a scaffold for osteoblasts. This growth factor is involved in bone metabolism and bone injury repair. The dependence of bone from vasculature, is better understood when looking to osseous changes that result from vasculopathies and arteritides, like in diabetes mellitus and polyarteritis nodosa respectively, that affect the mandible more frequently than previously suspected. These changes are not only the result of a dysregulation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but of a complex network of factors that affect the vasculature, like VEGF and hypoxia. Abnormal vasculature results in qualitatively degradated bone, with an atypical architecture or even in bone necrosis. The dynamic interplay between vasculature and bone of the mandible, with the vasculature endothelium playing an initiating and regulatory role in osteosynthesis, supports the hypothesis of an angiogenic origin of bone. This hypothesis, helps in understanding of bone pathology, like avascular necrosis and of the impact of interventions and medications that affect vasculature, on bone metabolism.

Cross-sectional study of the radiographic appearance of radiopaque lesions of the jawbones in a sample of Greek dental patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of radiopacities in the jaws of a Greek population sample.

STUDY DESIGN

Panoramic radiographs of 3,513 patients retrieved from 10 practices in Northern Greece were examined for the presence of radiopacities without the knowledge of the medical histories. Of the initial sample size, 47 radiographs were excluded owing to technical errors. Descriptive characteristics of radiopacities including shape, size, and location, as well as information concerning the tooth involved and the adjacent and opposing teeth, were recorded. All analyses were performed using SPSS software. The Pearson chi-squared test was used to examine the distributions of gender, shape, size, and location.

RESULTS

A total of 72 radiopacities were identified in 69 patients (1.96% of the total sample of panoramic radiographs), showing a greater predilection in the mandibular premolar-molar region (78.3% of radiopacities observed); 44.9% of the radiopacities were associated with intact teeth or teeth with shallow filling/caries, whereas 26.1% were associated with heavily decayed/filled teeth. One-half of the radiopacities identified were circular, and the diameter varied from 1 to 2 cm.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate the rarity of radiopacities (1.96%) in the Greek population sample that was examined and the predilection for their occurrence in the jaws.

Bone involvement in sickle cell disease

Bone involvement is the commonest clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease both in the acute setting such as painful vaso-occlusive crises, and as a source of chronic, progressive disability such as avascular necrosis. Management of these problems is often difficult because of the diagnostic imprecision of most laboratory and imaging investigations and because of the lack of evidence for most surgical procedures in sickle cell disease. This review first discusses the acute problems related to bone involvement in sickle cell disease, with particular reference to differentiating infection from infarction, and then describes the long-term effects of sickle cell disease on bone mineral density, growth, and chronic bone and joint damage.