Burkitt's lymphoma presenting as lower lip paraesthesia in a 24 year old Nigerian. Case report

Multislice computed tomography demonstrating mental nerve paresthesia caused by periapical infection: A case report

Components derived from an infected lesion within the bone can spread through various passages in the mandible, particularly via the mental foramen. Radiologically, the spread of infection is typically nonspecific and challenging to characterize; however, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) can effectively detect pathological changes in soft tissues and the bone marrow space. This report describes the case of a 55-year-old woman who experienced mental nerve paresthesia due to a periapical infection of the right mandibular second premolar. MSCT imaging revealed increased attenuation around the periapical lesion extending into the mandibular canal and loss of the juxtamental foraminal fat pad. Following endodontic treatment of the tooth suspected to be the source of the infection, the patient's symptoms resolved, and the previous MSCT imaging findings were no longer present. Increased bone marrow attenuation and obliteration of the fat plane in the buccal aspect of the mental foramen may serve as radiologic indicators of inflammation spreading from the bone marrow space.

Sore or Swollen Lips Part 2: Systemic Causes

This series of three papers reviews the causes, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and outlines the management of sore and/or swollen lips. Clinical relevance: Sore and/or swollen lips are not uncommon, often have a local cause, but may reflect a systemic disease. The previous article reviewed important causes, from actinic to contact cheilitis, while this paper starts with drug-induced cheilitis and completes that alphabetical list.

Maxillary sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma associated with neuro-orbital involvement in an Indian male

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is the fastest growing malignancy of the lymphoreticular system to affect humans and has a potential ability to double in size every day. A case of maxillary sporadic BL (sBL) associated with neuro-orbital involvement in an Indian male is presented. sBL initially presented as maxillary swelling with no obvious dental and periodontal changes. Histological specimen from incisional biopsy revealed a round cell malignant tumor and immunohistochemistry reactions favored nonHodgkin's lymphoma consistent with BL. Four weeks later, patient presented with orbital involvement as diplopia, sixth cranial nerve palsy, and medial rectus palsy. Chemotherapy regimen according to LMB 89 protocol was started. During chemotherapy regimen patient showed bradycardia and Babinski response, suggestive of central nervous system involvement. sBL associated with orbital involvement is extremely rare and only seven cases have been reported. Our case showed unusual presentation; despite the aggressive tumor did not show any common clinical, radiological, and hematological findings. We also discussed the role of oral medicine specialist, importance of early diagnosis, and prompt referral in management of maxillary sBL.

Mental neuropathy as a manifestation associated with malignant processes: its significance in relation to patient survival

PURPOSE

Mental neuropathy (MN) is characterized by the presence of a sensory defect in the form of paresthesias or dysesthesias in the territory innervated by the mental nerve. MN may be the first manifestation of systemic cancer, a symptom of spread of an established tumor, or a sign of infiltration in an intraoral lesion. In any of these cases, the symptom is indicative of a very poor patient prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 22 cancer patients with chin paresthesia were studied. Group 1 comprised patients with chin paresthesia who had a primary tumor in some other region at a distance from the oral cavity or maxillofacial zone. Group 2 in turn comprised patients with primary malignancies of the oral and/or maxillofacial territory and who likewise presented with chin paresthesia. Data were collected relating to patient age, gender, primary intraoral lesion (location, size, histologic diagnosis), primary systemic tumor, and mean patient survival.

RESULTS

Group 1 consisted of 11 patients (8 men and 3 women), aged between 36 and 81 years (mean, 58.09 +/- 14.99 years), with different systemic cancers. The mean survival after the diagnosis of chin paresthesia was 14.8 +/- 16.5 months, and only 1 patient was still alive after 9 months. Group 2 consisted of 11 patients (8 men and 3 women), aged between 33 and 72 years (mean, 56.18 +/- 15.69 years). All presented with oral squamous cell carcinoma, with the single exception of 1 case of fibrosarcoma. In this group the mean survival of the 8 patients who died was 28.2 +/- 29.6 months. Three patients survived for a mean of 17 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Chin paresthesia is a very important prognostic symptom determining the degree of infiltration of intraoral lesions, and in some cases it may be indicative of the existence of a primary tumor (identified or otherwise), with poor short-term survival--given that 81.9% of the patients studied (18 cases) had died before a mean of 20 months. Although mean survival was shorter (14.8 months) among the patients in group 1 than in group 2 (28.2 months), the difference was not statistically significant.

Paraesthesia of the lip and chin area resolved by endodontic treatment: A case report and review of literature

Lower lip numbness is a symptom that may be due to entirely benign causes, or it may be the first sign of a more sinister problem. It has been reported as being the sole symptom of pathological lesions and metastatic tumours in the mandible.

Recurrent syncope as presenting symptom of Burkitt's lymphoma at the carotid bifurcation

Burkitt's lymphoma is rare outside of Africa, and head and neck manifestations of this disease are even more uncommon. We report a case of Burkitt's lymphoma localized at the bifurcation of the right common carotid artery in a 64-year-old man. The presenting symptoms were recurrent syncopes that necessitated a pacemaker, followed by a rapid onset of cranial nerve palsies. The tumor had infiltrated cranial nerves IX, X, XI, and XII and was resected by selective neck dissection. The patient was subsequently treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of a combination of cytosine arabinoside, vincristine, ifosfamide, prednisone, and an intrathecal application of methotrexate. He also underwent external-beam irradiation of the neck. The patient has been followed up for a period of 42 months and has no evidence of recurrent disease. Repeated diagnostic testing and a coordination of multiple disciplines can speed diagnosis and therapeutic management. The current literature is reviewed and discussed.