Case Report

Orofacial granulomatosis related to amalgam fillings

Scottish Medical Journal 58(4) e24–e25 ! The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0036933013508049 scm.sagepub.com

R Ellison1, C Green2, J Gibson3 and S Ghaffar2

Abstract This paper reports on a case of Orofacial Granulomatosis (OFG) in which the presence of amalgam fillings appears to have played a part in the aetiology. Once these restorations were removed and replaced with an alternative composite restorative material, all symptoms and signs of OFG resolved completely. This case highlights the necessity to include dental metals in the patch test battery when performing delayed patch testing on patients with OFG.

Keywords Granulomatosis, mercury allergy

Introduction Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) typically presents with diffuse lip swelling. This is often a clinical diagnosis but, upon biopsy, it is characterised histologically by non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas and oedema of the tissues.1 The time of onset varies from infancy to old age but, it is being seen increasingly in young adults in whom it is often found to be a result of hypersensitivity to food additives such as cinnamaldehyde and benzoates.2,3 These additives are found in carbonated soft drinks, which can be consumed in high quantities by some individuals. The importance of immediate open patch testing to detect such hypersensitivity has been reported previously.4,5 However, as exemplified in this case, patch testing should also be performed to exclude delayed hypersensitivity.

Case presentation An 18-year old man presented to the Oral Medicine service at Dundee Dental Hospital in January 2009 with a seven-month history of discomfort affecting the gingivae in addition to an intermittent swelling of the upper lip. Crohn’s disease was excluded by referral to a gastroenterologist. The possibility of Sarcoidosis was excluded by a normal level of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE). Lip biopsy confirmed a chronic granulomatous inflammatory reaction and a

diagnosis of OFG was made. Delayed patch testing was performed to the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA) standard series and the departmental dental and oral series. Patch tests were applied with Finn ChambersÕ on ScanporeÕ tape, occluded for two days and readings performed at 48 and 96 h according to the methodology of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (see Figures 1 and 2). Open patch testing to food additives for possible intermediate non-immunological hypersensitivity were also performed and readings recorded at 30 mins. There was a positive (+) reaction to 0.5% mercury in petrolatum at 48 and 96 h. All other readings were negative. The patient had 13 (mercury containing) amalgam surfaces in his mouth. A six-month period of avoidance by replacing his amalgam restorations with composite resulted in a complete resolution of the lip swelling with only some remaining lip dryness and angular cheilitis. Further review after six months revealed the patient

1

General Dental Practitioner, M&S Dental Care, Fort William, UK Consultant Dermatologist, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, UK 3 Professor of Medicine in Relation to Dentistry and Honorary Consultant in Oral Medicine, University of Glasgow Dental, School, UK 2

Corresponding author: Ross Ellison, M&S Dental Care, Fort William, Inverness-Shire, PH33 6DA, UK. Email: [email protected]

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Ellison et al.

e25 . However, although the association in patients with OFG has been reported rarely to date,7,8 this case adds to a number of cases of OFG which have resolved upon removal of amalgam fillings after it was found that the patient had a positive allergic response to mercury and/or dental amalgam. . In our patient, testing only to food additives and the BSCA standard series would have missed a clinically relevant allergen. We suggest that in patients with OFG, dental metals should be added to the patch test battery. Declaration of conflicting interests

Figure 1. Preparation of Finn chambers.

None declared.

Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

References

Figure 2. Patch test application, Finn chambers in place.

had no further symptoms and no stigmata at all of OFG.

Conclusion . Clinically relevant positive patch tests to mercury and amalgam are not uncommon in patients with oral lichenoid reactions; replacement of amalgam fillings may lead to resolution of symptoms and signs.6

1. Grave B, McCullough M and Wiesenfeld D. Orofacial granulomatosis – a 20 year review. Oral Dis 2009; 15: 611–620. 2. White A, Nunes C, Escudier M, et al. Improvement in orofacial granulomatosis on a cinnamon- and benzoatefree diet. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2006; 12: 508–514. 3. Patton D, Ferguson M, Forsyth A, et al. Oro-facial granulomatosis: a possible allergic basis. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1985; 23: 235–242. 4. Wray D, Rees SR, Gibson J, et al. The role of allergy in oral mucosal diseases. Q J Med 2000; 93: 507–511. 5. Fitzpatrick L, Healy CM and McCartan BE. Patch testing for food-associated allergies in orofacial granulomatosis. J Oral Pathol Med 2011; 40: 10–13. 6. Ibbotson SH, Speight EL, Macleod RI, et al. The relevance and effect of amalgam replacement in subjects with oral lichenoid reactions. Br J Dermatol 1996; 134: 420–423. 7. Tomka M, Machovcova´ A, Pelclova´ D, et al. Orofacial granulomatosis associated with hypersensitivity to dental amalgam. Oral Surg, Oral Med, Oral Pathol, Oral Radiol, Endod 2011; 112: 335–341. 8. Guttman-Yassky E, Weltfriend S and Bergman R. Resolution of orofacial granulomatosis with amalgam removal. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2003; 17: 344–347.

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Orofacial granulomatosis related to amalgam fillings.

This paper reports on a case of Orofacial Granulomatosis (OFG) in which the presence of amalgam fillings appears to have played a part in the aetiolog...
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