Case report

Lingual infarction in Wegener's Granulomatosis: A case report and review of the literature

Lachlan M Carter¹ and Eitan Brizman²

¹  Specialist Registrar, Maxillofacial Surgery, Leeds Dental Institute, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK

²  Senior House Officer, Maxillofacial Surgery, Leeds Dental Institute, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK

author email corresponding author email

Head & Face Medicine 2008, 4:19doi:10.1186/1746-160X-4-19

Published:	21 August 2008

Abstract

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a multi-system disease, characterised by the triad of necrotising granulomata affecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts, disseminated vasculitis and glomerulonephritis. Oral lesions are associated with up to 50% of cases, although are rare as a presenting feature. The most common oral lesions associated with WG are ulceration and strawberry gingivitis. We review the literature regarding oral manifestations of WG and present a case of lingual infarction, an extremely rare oral lesion associated with WG, in a severe, rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal form of the disease.