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Facial subcutaneous calcinosis and mandibular resorption in systemic sclerosis: a case report

Ege University, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Bornova, zmir, Turkey

*Correspondence to: Dr Esin Alpöz, Ege University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Bornova, zmir 35100, Turkey; Email: esinalpz{at}yahoo.com

Received 4 October 2005; revised 9 January 2006; accepted 1 February 2006

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by widespread fibrosis of subcutaneous connective tissue, causing serious complications with the involvement of other systems. Tight, firm skin is the main characteristic of SSc, causing extrinsic pressure and the obliteration of the vessels. This then leads to ischaemia and destruction of the underlying bone. This mechanism may also lead to bone resorption of the mandibular body as it affects other bones of the skeleton. To date, only two cases of reported calcinosis in the facial area have been observed. In this report, a rare case of SSc with both subcutaneous calcinosis and mandibular bone resorption is presented. The role of dental practitioners in the diagnosis of the disease with respect to the orofacial symptoms is also discussed.

Keywords: systemic sclerosis; subcutaneous calcinosis; scleroderma