Australian dental journal
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Australian dental journal · Jun 2010
Case ReportsInvasive oral aspergillosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Aspergillosis (a fungal infection by an organism of the Aspergillus species) of the oral cavity is an uncommon condition which most frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients, such as those with haematological malignancies. In such patients, prolonged neutropenia secondary to chemotherapeutic agents enables the spread of invasive aspergillosis, which is unaffected by anatomical barriers. Early detection and treatment of the condition is essential to avoid more serious complications, such as disseminated infection, which results in increased morbidity and mortality. ⋯ High-dose antifungal therapy was instituted along with surgical removal of the involved tissues. Aspergillosis of the palate was successfully eradicated with no long-term ill effects from the treatment. Management of invasive aspergillosis includes early aggressive antifungal medication combined with surgical removal of the involved tissues.
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Gingival enlargements are a common clinical finding and most represent a reactive hyperplasia as a direct result of plaque related inflammatory gingival disease. These generally respond to conservative tissue management and attention to plaque control. ⋯ These epulides grow from under the free gingival margin and not as a result of a primary inflammatory gingival enlargement. This distinct aetiopathogenesis separates this group of lesions both in terms of their specific clinical presentation and behaviour and their propensity for recurrence if managed inadequately.