Osteolysis of unknown origin: a case report

[摘要] BackgroundSarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that may affect any organ of the body. The most frequent loci of manifestation are the lungs. However, there are individual cases where bones are affected. The literature describes cases in which swelling or fistula were the first findings of a bone lesion. This is the first case reporting an osteolysis in both angles of the mandibles which led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis with multi-organ involvement.Case presentationThe authors present a 74 years old European female patient without previous diagnosis of sarcoidosis who presented with pain in the area of the jaw angles. There were no further clinical symptoms. Bone biopsy following radiological investigation demonstrated non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis of the bone. Further evaluation confirmed multi-organ disease with involvement of lungs, intrathoracic lymph nodes, and the central nervous system.ConclusionThis case report shows that diagnosis of a severe disease can be missed if systematic clinical signs are not given. Furthermore, an accurate anamnesis and examination is required to receive an early diagnosis which often needs an interdisciplinary approach.

[发布日期] 2015-12-30

[关键词] Sarcoidosis;Bone lesion;Jaw angle