MedRead Journal of Dental Science
Modernize and Knowledge of Oral Health
Modernize and Knowledge of Oral Health
*Vasconcelos RB
Department Of Pediatric Surgery, University Of Pernambuco, University Of Pernambuco, University Of Pernambuco, Madalena, Brazil
Published on: 2020-10-21
Oral manifestations may be the first clinical signs of idiopath- ic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) diagnosed by a pediatric dentist. The aim of the present study was to describe oral manifestations and dental care for patients with ITP. A narra- tive review of the literature was performed, involving a search in the MEDLINE (PubMED) electronic database for relevant articles published in English using the following keywords: “Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic”, “Hematologic dis- eases” and “Dental care”. No restrictions were imposed with regard to the year of publication. The inclusion criteria were studies that addressed oral manifestations and dental man- agement in patients with ITP. This condition is considered one of the most common blood disorders in children. Man- ifestations such as spontaneous or trauma-induced gingival bleeding, petechiae, hematomas, purpura and ecchymo- sis are reported in regions of the vestibular mucosa, lateral edges of the tongue and the junction between the hard and soft palate as well as other sites of the oral mucosa. Oral management depends on the status of the disease, which is reflected in the platelet count. Moreover, the inclusion of a hematologist on the treatment team is fundamental. In the occurrence of these manifestations, a detailed patient history is the key to successful oral treatment for these patients to avoid inflammation, gingival bleeding and infection.
Thrombocytopenia is a blood disorder characterized by an accentuated reduction in platelets. This reduc- tion in number and function may stem from different mechanisms, such as autoimmune destruction, spleen sequestration, bone marrow failure, infiltration by tu- mor cells and an adverse drug reaction [1].
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is one of the most common causes of symptomatic thrombo- cytopenia in children, [2,3] with the annual incidence of ITP is estimated to be between 1 and 6.4 cases per 100,000 children [2,4]. The most common clinical symp- toms are hematoma, petichiae, bleeding of the mucous membranes and other hemorrhagic manifestations of thrombycytopenia [5-7].
Oral manifestations are often among the first find- ings of thrombocytopenia, such as gingival bleeding stemming from trauma in the oral cavity [1,8]. Therapy for patients with ITP depends on the conditions found as well as the relationship to dental treatment. The clinical approach of the pediatric dentist should be based on prior knowledge of the evolution of the disease in the patient [9].
The aim of the present study was to describe oral manifestations and care (pediatric dentistry) for pa- tients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
A narrative review of the literature was performed, involving a search in the MEDLINE (PubMED) electronic database for relevant articles published in English using the following keywords: “Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic”, “Hematologic diseases” and “Dental care”. No restrictions were imposed with regard to the year of publication. The inclusion criteria were studies that addressed oral manifestations and dental management in patients with ITP.
Concept and diagnosis
ITP is an acquired disorder characterized by mild to severe thrombocytopenia in the absence of any other abnormality. The two main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this condition are an increase in the destruction of or reduction in the production of plate- lets [8].
Platelet reduction can occur in cases of bone marrow failure syndromes, such as aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, and chemotherapyinduced or drug-induced thrombocytopenia [8]. According to different authors [9-13], the diagnosis of ITP is performed by exclusion, as the differential diagnosis includes other conditions with distinct etiologies that can lead to the general symptoms of thrombocyto- penic purpura, such as those mentioned above and he- reditary thrombocytopenia (Bernard-Soulier syndrome and AldrichSchlonlein syndrome), vitamin C deficiency, viral infections (HIV, infectious mononucleosis), autoim- mune disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus), acute leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Forms of presentation
ITP clinical signs include petechiae, ecchymoses, haematomas, epistaxis, haematuria, mucocutaneous bleeding, and occasionally, haemorrhage into tissues. Complications are rare. In general, splenomegaly is not common, being in acute form IPT, spleen only palpable in 10% of the cases [13].
The disease has two forms: Acute and chronic. The chronic form is known as childhood ITP, which can af- fect children of both sexes under ten years of age as well as young adults [14-16]. It has been associated with a history of viral infection two to 21 days prior to the first clinical signs and onset of ITP [9,15-19]. The acute form has been associated with infection by Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, after vaccinations for ru- bella, mumps and measles as well as other infections of different etiologies [13,20,21]. This condition is usu- ally selflimiting, with remission occurring within sev- eral weeks or months [22], more specifically within six months, according to Sugiura, et al. [12].
ITP clinical signs include petechiae, ecchymoses, haematomas, epistaxis, haematuria, mucocutaneous bleeding, and occasionally, haemorrhage into tissues. Complications are rare. In general, splenomegaly is not common, being in acute form IPT, spleen only palpable in 10% of the cases [13].
The disease has two forms: Acute and chronic. The chronic form is known as childhood ITP, which can af- fect children of both sexes under ten years of age as well as young adults [14-16]. It has been associated with a history of viral infection two to 21 days prior to the first clinical signs and onset of ITP [9,15-19]. The acute form has been associated with infection by Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, after vaccinations for ru- bella, mumps and measles as well as other infections of different etiologies [13,20,21]. This condition is usu- ally selflimiting, with remission occurring within sev- eral weeks or months [22], more specifically within six months, according to Sugiura, et al. [12].
For the chronic form, which is characteristically seen in adults, there is no consensus in the literature regard ing its duration. Some authors define it as persisting for more than six months [14,23]. However, the classifica- tion proposed in 2009 defines chronic ITP as the occur- rence of the disease for more than 12 months [24]. The symptomatic manifestations of this form are generally mild [13,22].
Oral manifestations
The oral cavity merits special attention as a predis- posing factor for diverse systemic disorders given its particular anatomic and physiologic aspects [25]. Oral manifestations of blood diseases may be the first clinical signs found by a dentist, serving as a guide for a detailed patient history [26].
Spontaneous bleeding or bleeding induced by trau- ma, such as during brushing or the use of dental floss, is often the first sign of thrombocytopenia [1,8,23]. Signs such as petechiae, hematoma, purpura and ecchymo- sis are reported in the region of the vestibular mucosa, lateral edges of the tongue and the junction between the hard and soft palate [8,13,23], which are prone to trauma. Other signs include multiple hemorrhagic blisters on the sublingual mucous membrane, floor of the mouth or lateral surface of the tongue, according to Byatnal, et al. [27].
With regards to the tissue reactions, there are few reports in the literature of the appearance of gingival hyperplasia. In a study evaluating forms of treatment for refractory childhood ITP, it was reported that the use of Ciclosporin A caused the gingival growth as an adverse reaction in 10 patients within a control group of 21 patients [28]. These were results identical with those already reported in China [29].
The frequent finding of gingival bleeding in routine clinical dentistry [12] underscores to the need for a de- tailed patient history to determine the diagnosis with the inclusion or exclusion of different causal factors, such as periodontal disease, trauma, anticoagulant therapy, bacterial infection, leukemia and blood dis- orders [27] such as ITP. Blood disorders, in particular, exhibit characteristic abnormal bleeding with a sudden onset that is difficult to control [9].
Dental management
Dental management depends on the platelet count [8], which should be higher than 50,000/mm3 before any treatment should be performed. Moreover, treat- ment should only be performed with the knowledge of the patient’s hematologist [30]. There is no consensus in the literature regarding surgical procedures. Accord- ing to some authors, a platelet count lower than 50,000 mm3 requires transfusion or corticosteroid therapy pri- or to surgery [31,32]. However, the American Hematol- ogy Society states that corticosteroids or intravenous infusion are only necessary when the platelet count is lower than 30,000/μL [33]. For minor and major surgery, the margin of safety is ≥ 50,000 and ≥ 80,000 cells/μL, respectively [34].
First-intention healing of surgical wounds can be achieved with hemostatic measures, such as manu- al compression with gauze and the local injection of a vasoconstrictor [13]. The filling of the alveolus with ab- sorbable gelatin sponges, microfibrillar collagen [32] or oxidized regenerated cellulose is also useful in cases of bleeding. Electrical cauterization or the application of bone wax are other options for controlling hemorrhage [13]. For the management of trans-operative pain, in- filtrative and intra-ligament anesthetic techniques are preferable for patient with ITP [35]. Inferior alveolar nerve block is contraindicated due to the greater chance of the formation of a hematoma [36].
Nonsurgical procedures as gingival probing, scaling and root planning may be performed without risk gingi- val bleeding, as long as it is carefully. Fine curettes and scalers should be used, or ultrasonic instrumentation, due less tissue trauma [8].
Regarding medication therapy employed in such patients, antiplatelet aggregating drugs and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs should be avoided [8,37]. The use of acetaminophen-based drugs or selective COX-2 inhibitors is preferable [8]. However, the drug line of choice for these patients is a corticosteroid, taking due care to avoid adrenal failure [8].
Prevention
A possible lack of oral hygiene may be noted among individuals with a coagulopathy due to the fear of exac- erbated bleeding following brushing and the use of den- tal floss [37].
In the long term, this lack of hygiene can lead to periodontal problems and caries [37]. Therefore, adequate plaque control is fundamental to the preven- tion of inflammation, gingival bleeding and infection in these patients [13,14,38].
An individualized prevention program should be implemented based on the patient’s age and the risk of caries [13,14]. The use of a fluoride toothpaste and di- etary counseling should be instituted. Depending on the risk of caries and the optimum quantity of fluoride in the water supply, daily mouth rinsing with fluoride and systemic fluoride supplements may be recommended. Moreover, dental office procedures, such as the topical application of fluoride or chlorhexidine as well as the sealing of pits and fissures, are preventive measures that can be performed [13].
Oral manifestations, such as spontaneous bleeding or bleeding induced by trauma, may be the first clini- cal signs of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) diagnosed by a pediatric dentist. Other signs of this dis- ease include petechiae, hematomas, purpura and ec- chymosis, which are reported in diverse sites of the oral mucosa. Oral management depends on the status of the disease, which is reflected in the platelet count. More- over, the inclusion of a hematologist on the treatment team is fundamental. Prevention is the key to successful oral treatment for these patients to avoid inflammation, gingival bleeding and infection.
The authors acknowledge the studies addressing this peculiar disorder, which requires special care, and the contribution of the scientific community, which pro- vided the data found in the literature that guided this review. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no con- flicts of interest. Funding: This study did not have any funding sources.