Jaw claudication: a sign of giant cell arteritis

Article Abstract:

Elderly patients who seek dental care for intermittent jaw pain may be suffering from giant cell arteritis (GCA). GCA is an inflammation of the medium-sized and large arteries and may cause vision loss. A 75-year-old woman visited her dentist with a two-week history of intermittent left jaw pain that worsened when chewing. Although the dentist's examination was normal, her symptoms persisted and she began to experience headaches and double vision. An ophthalmological examination performed four months later was also normal. The patient revisited the ophthalmologist two weeks later because she had decreased vision in her right eye. The doctor observed a swollen optic nerve in the right eye and diagnosed anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). The patient was hospitalized and a biopsy of the temporal artery confirmed a diagnosis of GCA. She was treated with corticosteroids which prevented further vision loss.

Orofacial pain, Facial pain, Intermittent claudication

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Painful chewing and blindness: signs and symptoms of temporal arteritis

Article Abstract:

Dental patients who report pain in the jaw when chewing should be referred to a doctor for a biopsy of the temporal artery. They may have temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the artery that can eventually cause blindness. Treatment with corticosteroids can relieve the symptoms.

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A central giant cell granuloma in a patient seeking orthodontic treatment

Article Abstract:

Dentists should be aware that people who have teeth that are out of alignment may have central giant cell granuloma. This is a bone disease that in most cases can be surgically removed. These patients should be referred to an oral surgeon.

Case studies, Malocclusion, Giant cell tumors

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