ABSTRACT
Skull-base osteomyelitis is a rare disease affecting the medulla of the temporal, sphenoid, and occipital bones. In general, it occurs due to external ear canal infections caused by malignant external otitis. Skull-base osteomyelitis usually affects elderly diabetic patients. The patient, a 58-year-old man, was referred for evaluation and management of the left jaw. Clinical examination of the patient revealed pain in the left jaw and mouth-opening deflection to the left. The maximum active mouth opening was measured to about 27 mm. Panoramic, CT, and CBCT revealed bone resorption patterns in the left condyle. Through control of diabetes, continued pharmacological treatment, arthrocentesis, and occlusal stabilization appliance therapy were carried out. The extent of active mouth opening was increased to 45 mm, and pain in the left jaw joint was alleviated. This was a case wherein complications caused by failure to control diabetes induced skull-base osteomyelitis. There is a need for continued discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of arthrocentesis with lavage for patients with skull-base osteomyelitis and other treatment options.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Bone Resorption , Ear Canal , Jaw , Joints , Mouth , Occipital Bone , Osteomyelitis , Otitis Externa , Rare Diseases , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders , Temporomandibular Joint , Therapeutic IrrigationABSTRACT
Facial asymmetry is found in patients with or without cosmetic facial alterations. Some patients have facial asymmetry that manifests underlying skeletal problems, while others have only limited soft-tissue facial asymmetry. Orthognathic surgery brings about a dermatic change, as soft tissue covers underlying bones. Limited soft-tissue asymmetry, meanwhile, is difficult to correct. The treatment modalities for the creation or restoration of an esthetically pleasing appearance were autogenous fat grafts, cartilage graft, and silicon injections. A young female patient had right-side facial asymmetry. The clinical assessment involved visual inspection of the face and palpation to differentiate soft tissue and bone. Although the extra-oral examination found facial asymmetry with skin atrophy, the radiographic findings revealed no mandibular atrophy or deviation. She was diagnosed as localized scleroderma with muscle spasm. In conclusion, facial asymmetry patients with skeletal asymmetry can be esthetically satisfied by orthognathic surgery; however, facial atrophy patients with skin or subdermal tissue contraction need treatment by cosmetic dermatological surgery and orthodontic correction.