NECROTIZING ULCERATIVE GINGIVITIS LEADING TO SEPSIS IN ONCOLOGICAL PATIENT: A CASE REPORT FOCUSED ON ORAL DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor occurring mostly in young adults that is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The objective is to report a case of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) as a focus of sepsis in a patient with synovial sarcoma undergoing chemotherapy. A 26-year-old male patient with synovial sarcoma was admitted to the emergency room reporting gingival pain and swelling. Clinical examination showed erythematous and purplish lesions in the gingiva, necrotic tissue and pseudomembranes in the papillae, and purulent exudate, resulting in a diagnosis of NUG. It was necessary to transfer the patient to intensive care unit due to sepsis from the dental focus and febrile neutropenia. Treatment involved antibiotic therapy, improvement of oral hygiene, and photobiomodulation with a low-level laser. We highlight the importance of hospital dentistry in the multidisciplinary team for individual patient care leading to a specific dental diagnosis and prompt treatment. Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor occurring mostly in young adults that is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The objective is to report a case of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) as a focus of sepsis in a patient with synovial sarcoma undergoing chemotherapy. A 26-year-old male patient with synovial sarcoma was admitted to the emergency room reporting gingival pain and swelling. Clinical examination showed erythematous and purplish lesions in the gingiva, necrotic tissue and pseudomembranes in the papillae, and purulent exudate, resulting in a diagnosis of NUG. It was necessary to transfer the patient to intensive care unit due to sepsis from the dental focus and febrile neutropenia. Treatment involved antibiotic therapy, improvement of oral hygiene, and photobiomodulation with a low-level laser. We highlight the importance of hospital dentistry in the multidisciplinary team for individual patient care leading to a specific dental diagnosis and prompt treatment.