Oral care is an often difficult and an unappreciated part of hospital life. Patients who are unable to provide their own care rely on assistance from hospital personnel. Most sequelae from suboptimal oral care often present over months if not years, in the form of dental caries and periodontal disease. We present an exception, where a 66-year-old patient who experienced widespread ulceration and necrosis from Capnocytophaga-related sepsis received suboptimal oral care, resulting in their tongue being fused to their lip. This was later divided by the oral and maxillofacial team resulting in restoration of full function. Future cases can be avoided in patients with similar symptoms, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or erythema multiforme, if rigorous oral care can be provided.
Carcinomas of the maxillary antrum are rare and tend to present late, leading to poor survival rates. Two-thirds of cases will present with oral symptoms or facial swelling. Dentists should be aware of suspicious clinical and radiographic signs, which may help in early detection and treatment. We present the case of a 48-year-old female complaining of facial swelling. In preceding months, she had visited her GP and dentist numerous times, receiving antibiotics from each for suspected sinusitis and a dental abscess, respectively. Subsequent investigations confirmed an SCC of the right maxillary antrum, which unfortunately, could only be treated palliatively. CPD/Clinical Relevance: The reader should understand the classic findings for a maxillary antrum carcinoma. They should also increase their confidence and awareness in identifying red flag signs and symptoms.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.