[Changes in the oral caused by scurvy].
This report presents a case of a psychiatric patient with scurvy. Upon the clinical examination of the oral cavity, dry and pale lips were noted. Gingiva was highly edematous, soft, purple blue with ulcerated margins. Bleeding was noted upon slightest provocation. Teeth were also affected by the vitamin C deficiency with multiple caries. The patient was asthenic and adynamic. Petechial bleeding and hematomas were present on the skin of extremities. Therapy consisted of rehydration and vitamin C compensation--2 g daily i.v. during 10 days period, and 1.5 g daily orally during the following 2 months. The patient maintained only partial plaque control, and complete recovery of the oral cavity was not established because the patient didn't comply. Concerning that scurvy is a rare disease nowadays, it is very important to recognize its clinical signs, and to establish a valid and prompt diagnosis, because, when untreated, scurvy can have severe consequences on the entire organism.
Daković
Dragana
D
Vojnomedicinska Akademija, Klinika za stomatologiju, Beograd. dakovic@beotel.yu
Ljusković
Besir
B
Mileusnić
Ivan
I
Tepsić
Vesna
V
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012614:Scurvy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology