Goker B, Goker H. Current therapy for Behçet’s disease. Am J Ther 2002;9:465–470.
Matsuda T, Ohno S. Hirohata Y, et al. Efficacy of rebamipide as adjuncrive therapy in the treatment of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers in patients with Behçet’s disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Drugs R D 2003;4:19–28.
Sfikakis PP. Behçet’s disease: A new target for anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment. Ann Rheum Dis 2002;61 (sup-pl 2):51–53.
Sharquie KE, Najim RA, Abu-Raghif AR. Dapsone in Behçet’s disease: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Dermatol 2002;29:267–279.
Shek LP, Lim DL. Thalidomide in Behçet’s disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2002;56:31–35.
Stratigos A, Laskaris G, Laskaris J. Behçet’s disease. Semin Neurol 1992;12:346–357.
Benign Tumors
Benign tumors are common in the oral cavity and originate from the epithelium, connective tissue, nerves, vessels, muscles, and other oral tissues.
The etiology of the great majority of oral benign tumors is unknown. Some of them are reactive or developmental.
•Papilloma
•Fibroma
•Peripheral ossifying fibroma
•Osteoma
•Chondroma
•Lipoma
•Myxoma
•Neurofibroma
•Schwannoma
•Traumatic neuroma
•Leiomyoma
•Rhabdomyoma
•Verruciform xanthoma
•Granular cell tumor
•Granular cell tumor of the newborn
•Fibrous histiocytoma
•Hemangioma
•Lymphangioma
•Papillary syringadenoma
•Melanotic nevi
•Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy
•Pleomorphic adenoma
•Myoepithelioma
•Other salivary gland adenomas
•Pyogenic granuloma
•Peripheral giant cell granuloma
•Firm or soft, raised, usually well defined, asymptomatic swelling
•Tumor may be sessile or pedunculated
•Size varies from 0.5 cm to several centimeters
•Color may be normal, yellowish, white, red, bluish, or black
The clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by biopsy and histopathologic examination.
The differential diagnosis includes all benign tumors, soft tissue cysts, and malignant neoplasms.
•Conservative surgical excision is the treatment of choice for all benign tumors.
•Electrosurgery, laser surgery, or cryotherapy can also be used as alternative methods of treatment for some benign tumors.
•Details of the surgical procedures and techniques are beyond the scope of this book.
References
Laskaris G. Color Atlas of Oral Diseases, 3rd edition. Thieme Verlag: Stuttgart. 2003.
Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, Bouquot JE. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2nd edition. WB Saunders Co, Philadelphia. 2002.
Sailer HF, Pajarola GF. Oral Surgery for the General Dentist. Thieme Verlag: Stuttgart, 1999.
Buccal Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a relatively common infectious process of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues.
Staphylococcus aureus and S. pyogenes are the most common causative organisms. Cellulitis in children can also be caused by group A streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae.
•Systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and malaise
•Diffuse, painful, firm, ill defined erythematous swelling that feels warm
•Vesicles, bullae, pustules, and tissue necrosis may occur in cases of severe infection
•Regional lymph node enlargement may occur
The diagnosis is usually based on the clinical criteria. Blood culture, needle aspiration, and rarely, a biopsy can be done.
•Trauma
•Insect bites
•Erysipelas
•Venous thrombosis
•Superficial thrombophlebitis
•Panniculitis
•Sweet syndrome
•Vasculitis
•Acute parotitis
•Other inflammatory disorders
Basic Guidelines
•In the majority of cases treatment should be directed against S. pyogenes and S. aureus.
•Culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests should be done in severe and antibiotic-resistant cases.
•Treatment should be implemented rapidly to avoid complications.
•Hospitalization and parenteral antibiotics should be reserved for children with severe illness.
Suggested Therapies
•Empiric