Primary Vasculitis of the Tongue -A Case Report

Vasculitis is a condition that can affect any organ of the body and is caused by an inflammation of the walls of large and small blood vessels of the body. It has a complex classification and is idiopathic in nature or occurs secondary to systemic disorders. Extensive history taking is key to diagnosis of this condition as it helps the clinician establish whether the vasculitis is idiopathic or secondary in nature. ESR is considered the gold standard lab investigation along with CRP, liver function tests and definitive diagnosis is established by tissue biopsy and angiogram where required. This report describes a case of vasculitis of the tongue. The patient had existing vasculitis of the toes and was referred from general surgery department to examine and manage tongue necrosis which led to the partial self-amputation of the tongue. Surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue was carried out under local anesthesia while aspirin and systemic corticosteroids prescribed by the general surgeon led to a reduction of toe discoloration. Necrosis of the tongue is a rare occurrence due to high vascularity of the organ. Oral health practitioners must be aware of this condition so that they are able to recognize and consider giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis as a differential diagnosis of any ischemic or necrotic changes that appear in the tongue.