A Rare Cause of Pain in the Oral Cavity: Osteomyelitis of Tori

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-1-2024

Journal

Cureus

Volume

16

Issue

8

DOI

10.7759/cureus.66006

Keywords

dental caries; exostoses; mandibular tori; oral diseases; oral tori; osteomyelitis; osteonecrosis; torectomy

Abstract

A 63-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of worsening mouth pain, particularly under the tongue bilaterally, with left more than right. A physical examination revealed multiple dental caries and bilateral mandibular tori, with the left mandibular torus being exquisitely tender to palpation. Lab tests showed increased inflammatory markers in the absence of leukocytosis. A maxillofacial computed tomography scan revealed findings concerning for chronic osteomyelitis with osteolysis of the left mandibular torus. The patient was started on intravenous antibiotics and transferred to another institution for further management through their oral and maxillofacial surgery service. The surgical pathology after torectomy confirmed the diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis with osteonecrosis. Although rare, this case underscores the importance of familiarity with osteomyelitis in tori of the oral cavity, also highlighting the imaging and clinical correlation. Further research is necessary to understand the risk factors and optimal management strategies for similar cases.

Department

Radiology

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