Oral Self-Mutilation in Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome: A Case Report. 2022

José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, PRT.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an inherited recessive X-related disorder caused by a deficiency of the purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. It is characterized by dystonia and compulsive self-mutilation, in particular, biting behavior on the oral mucosa, tongue, lips, fingers, and shoulders, typically before one year of age. The majority of these patients require several procedures, including dental extractions, to prevent significant secondary lesions. This article aims to report a clinical case of a 12-year-old boy with an LNS diagnosis who was referred to the Paediatric Stomatology Department of Central Lisbon University Hospital. Since the age of eight, the patient had displayed self-harm behavior, with arm and oral injuries. On evaluation, he presented with deep ulcerated lesions on the lips and tongue, with substance loss associated with a significant decrease in food intake and consequent weight loss. The management included conservative therapy with gabapentin, lorazepam, and botulinum toxin injections. A successful reduction of self-mutilation with no signs of new lesions in the oral cavity and an improvement in nutritional status were reported. The therapeutic approach is essential to provide the best quality of life for patients and their caregivers. To delay radical treatments, multiple therapeutic options can be used. The oral pathology team considered that the most appropriate therapy was botulinum toxin A injections along with therapeutic adjustment, which was effective in wound healing and self-mutilation behavior ceasing at the two-month follow-up.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
February 2018, Revista chilena de pediatria,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
January 2002, ASDC journal of dentistry for children,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
January 2006, Pediatric dentistry,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
October 2005, Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
December 2005, Neurology,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
April 1974, Lancet (London, England),
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
January 2003, International journal of paediatric dentistry,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
June 1997, International journal of paediatric dentistry,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
October 2022, Journal of clinical medicine,
José Ferrão, and Cristina Rodrigues Barros, and Luísa Figueiredo, and Ana Fernandes
January 1979, Brain & development,
Copied contents to your clipboard!