Glossodynia and necrosis of the tongue caused by giant cell arteritis

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008 Apr;46(3):231-233. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2007.03.014. Epub 2007 May 7.

Abstract

Spontaneous, endogenous pain in the tongue (glossodynia) is rare, particularly when this progresses to ulceration and necrosis of the tongue. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with glossodynia that eventually resulted in necrosis of the tongue. The diminished blood supply was the result of histologically confirmed giant cell arteritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Candidiasis, Oral / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / blood
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Glossalgia / blood
  • Glossalgia / drug therapy
  • Glossalgia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Necrosis / drug therapy
  • Necrosis / etiology
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Temporal Arteries / pathology
  • Temporal Arteries / surgery
  • Tongue / blood supply
  • Tongue / drug effects
  • Tongue / pathology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Methylprednisolone