The “old sailors “ illness makes a return

Publication date: July 2019Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, Volume 128, Issue 1Author(s): Dr. Suma Sukumar, Prof. Hedley ColemanVitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a co-factor in multiple enzymatic reactions including that of collagen synthesis. Due to the absence of the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase, humans are unable to synthesise ascorbic acid; hence it is recognised as an essential nutrient. Scurvy refers to the clinical presentation of a deficiency of ascorbic acid, which occurs as a result of inadequate dietary intake. It has long been considered an illness of historical rather than contemporary significance. However, a tendency towards Western diets rich in processed foods and lacking in fresh produce has given rise to the re-emergence of the condition in the developed world. Current evidence suggests that there is a resurgence of scurvy in Sydney. A case is highlighted of an otherwise healthy 35year old male who presented to a hospital emergency dental clinic with generalised red, boggy gingivae. Clinical examination revealed bilateral involvement of the buccal and lingual/palatal gingivae in both the mandibular and maxillary arches, predominantly affecting the interdental papillae. Radiographic examination confirmed there was no associated bone loss or bony pathology. The clinical differential diagnoses included leukaemia, Kaposi sarcoma or possible scurvy. A battery of serological investigations yielded the eventual dia...
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research