Search

Background Monoclonal gammopathy is a biological reality encountered in approximately 1% of the general population. In the absence of clinical and biological signs, it is considered of undetermined significance; however, it can be a biological signature of a monoclonal lymphocytic or plasma-cell proliferation. Their localisation to the oral mucosa remains rare and difficult to diagnose, particularly in indolent forms that escape imaging techniques. Case presentation Here, we report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of IgM kappa gammopathy followed for 13 years. The patient did not have a chronic infection or an autoimmune disease, and all the biological investigations and radiological explorations were unremarkable during this period. The discovery of a submucosal nodule in the cheek led to the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma and regression of half of the IgM kappa level after resection. The review of the literature shows the dominance of clinical signs (i.e., a mass or swelling) in the diagnosis of primary MALT lymphomas of the oral cavity after surgical resection. Conclusions Our case illustrates the role of examination of the oral cavity in the context of a monoclonal gammopathy. The absence of clinical and radiological evidence in favor of lymphoplasmacytic proliferation, does not exclude a primary indolent MALT lymphoma of the oral mucosa.

PURPOSE: The present study addressed the prevalence of functional somatic syndromes (FSS) in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients and in control patients. We also investigated the overlap between history of FSS and psychometric data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, reports of previous FSS, and measures of depression and somatization as determined by the psychometric scales of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Samples comprised 56 TMD patients and 103 controls who were routine dental patients. RESULTS: The reports of at least one FSS were significantly more prevalent in TMD patients than in control patients. The former group also reported significantly more frequent occurrences of multiple FSS. The median depression and somatization scores on the SCL-90-R were higher in TMD patients. TMD patients were significantly more frequently classified in the moderate and severe classes of the SCL-90-R somatization scale. The depression and somatization scores were significantly correlated. A significant and positive relationship between the number of reports of FSS and the somatization score was found in both TMD patients and in control patients. The depression score was significantly and positively linked with the incidence of FSS in the control group. CONCLUSION: TMD patients more frequently report FSS and multiple FSS than routine dental patients. Somatization of TMD patients can be assessed by inquiring as to their history of FSS.

This paper reports the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of Eagle's Syndrome and an ossified stylohyoid ligament (SHL). Symptoms had developed immediately after trauma to the neck. No injury to the SHL was radiologically observable, but the causal relationship between the trauma and the occurrence of symptoms was evident. A new symptom of Eagle's Syndrome mimicking osteoathrosis of the temporomandibular joint was observed. The risk of misdiagnosis of temporomandibular disorders and the etiological role of neck trauma in Eagle's Syndrome are discussed.