Oral Pathology in HIV-infected Individuals and Osteomyelitis


Oral Pathology in HIV-infected Individuals and Osteomyelitis

Oral Pathology in HIV-infected Individuals and Osteomyelitis

I. Oral Pathology in HIV-infected Individuals

1. Candida Infection

  • Pseudomembranous Candidiasis:
  • Characteristics: White or yellow membrane, bleeding when scraped.
  • Location: Palate, buccal mucosa, lips and dorsum of the tongue.
  • Hyperplastic Candidiasis:
  • Characteristics: White membrane that cannot be scraped off.
  • Location: Buccal mucosa, extending inward.
  • Note: The angular cheilitis is commonly found in people who are not infected with HIV.
  • Erythematous or Atrophic Candidiasis:
  • Characteristics: Prominent or inconspicuous deep red color, a hallmark of HIV infection.
  • Location: Palate, dorsum of the tongue (loss of papillae).
  • Types of Candida Infection:
  • Pseudomembranous
  • Hyperplastic
  • Erythematous/Atrophic
  • Angular Cheilitis
  • Treatment of Fungal Infection:
  • Tim Genian mouthwash, Clotrimazole lozenges, Nystatin.
  • Fluconazole 100mg/2 days initially, then 1 tablet/day for 14 days.

2. Periodontal Disease

  • Linear Gingivitis:
  • Characteristics:
  • A red line at the gingival margin.
  • Red spots on the alveolar mucosa.
  • Gums easily bleed even with good hygiene.
  • Less plaque accumulation.
  • Chronic Periodontitis:
  • Characteristics:
  • Rapid destruction of periodontal tissue.
  • Severe pain.
  • Loose teeth.
  • Shallow periodontal pockets.
  • Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG):
  • Characteristics:
  • Necrotizing ulceration of the gingiva, extending across both jaws.
  • Severe pain.
  • Halitosis.
  • Treatment of Periodontal Disease:
  • Thorough oral hygiene.
  • Betadine/Chlorhexidine mouthwash.
  • Metronidazole 500mg/2 times a day for 7-10 days.
  • Clindamycin/Amoxicillin.

3. Viral Infection

  • Herpes infection, Shingles: More severe in HIV-infected individuals.
  • Hairy Leukoplakia: Commonly seen in the late stage, white patches, location: both sides of the tongue, ventral surface of the tongue.
  • Kaposi’s Sarcoma: Vascular proliferation stimulated by HIV.

4. Manifestations of Kaposi’s Sarcoma:

  • The first sign of the AIDS stage.
  • Location: Face (tip of the nose), mouth (palate on one side, gingiva, tongue).
  • Characteristics:
  • Reddish-bluish patches, rough, dark, raised, ulcerated surface or with multiple lobes.
  • Feels firm before surface ulceration.

5. Dry Mouth: Tooth decay pain, periodontal inflammation.

II. Osteomyelitis

  • Pathology: Increased pressure in the bone causing severe pain.
  • Symptoms of Acute Osteomyelitis (Characteristic):
  • Wide-ranging facial pain, episodic, severe.
  • Clenching of the jaw, numbness of the lips and chin.
  • Loose teeth, very painful percussion (infected area).
  • Symptoms of Chronic Suppurative Osteomyelitis:
  • Skin/mucosal fistula with pus discharge.
  • Occasional expulsion of dead bone fragments through the fistula.
  • X-ray image of chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw: Bone resorption = moth-eaten appearance.
  • X-ray image of osteomyelitis with periosteal proliferation: Onion-skin periosteal reaction.
  • X-ray image of osteomyelitis with sclerosis: Radiopaque area with clear boundaries, not around the tooth apex, no bone expansion.
  • Common location of chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis: Edentulous areas.
  • Which jaw is more commonly affected by radiation-induced osteonecrosis: The mandible.
  • Types of osteomyelitis of the jaw commonly found in young people:
  • Osteomyelitis of the jaw with periosteal proliferation.
  • Sclerosing osteomyelitis.
  • Osteomyelitis commonly found in the elderly: Chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the jaw.

III. Neoplasms

1. Reactive Fibroma

  • Etiology: Trauma.
  • Histology: Dense fibrous tissue.
  • Special type: Arborescence fibroma.
  • Basic lesion: Nodular, not encapsulated, painless, normal surface.

2. Giant Cell Fibroma

  • Location accounts for 50%: Gingiva.
  • Special lesion: Papilloma behind the canine.
  • Lesion: Small nodule on the gingiva behind the lower canine, usually bilateral.

3. Gingival Fibroma

  • Etiology: Trauma from denture borders.
  • Type of lesion: Mass-like, painless, not lobulated.
  • Location: Vestibular sulcus, anterior floor of the mouth.
  • Histology: Fibrous tissue whorl.

4. Denture-Induced Papilloma

  • Cause: Repeated trauma from wearing dentures during sleep.
  • Characteristics:
  • Associated with Candida infection.
  • Multiple papillomas scattered on the hard palate, painless, concentrated in the midline.

5. Juvenile Aggressive Fibroma

  • Lesion: Firm nodule, painful, usually lobulated, may destroy the underlying bone.
  • Treatment: Wide excision including affected bone.
  • Recurrence: 25% recurrence rate.

6. Fibrosarcoma

  • Neoplasm: Malignant form of fibroblasts.
  • Type:
  • Pleomorphic cell.
  • Encapsulated.
  • Multiple pseudo-mitosis.

7. Fibrohistiocytic Tumor

  • Lesion: Nodular, firm, painless, not encapsulated.
  • Malignant form: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, may: have many spindle-shaped cells with open nuclei.
  • Histological features: May be very benign on histology.
  • Recurrence: Low recurrence rate.
  • Recurrence of the malignant form: 40% recurrence rate, 5-year survival rate of 30%.
  • Other names: Fibrous xanthoma/Dermatofibroma.

Note: This article provides general information about oral pathology in HIV-infected individuals and osteomyelitis. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, you should consult a qualified specialist.



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