Key points P.4

Question 1

Neutropenia:

Definition:

Answer 1

Neutropenia refers to a decrease in the number of the circulating neutrophils below 1500/mm3 in an adult

• A decrease in neutrophils may be precipitated by several mechanisms, most of which involve decreased production or increased destruction

Question 2

Neutropenia:

Grades - counts

Answer 2

Clinicians must be aware of this disorder because infection of the oral mucosa may be the initial sign of the disease

Question 3

Neutropenia:

Oral Lesions

Answer 3

Consist of ulcerations that usually involve the gingival mucosa, probably because of the heavy bacterial colonization of this area and the chronic trauma that it receives (while eating, brushing or flossing)

Premature periodontal bone loss with exfoliation of the deciduous dentition has been described

Question 6

Neutropenia:

Dental Considerations

The principal role of the dentist in relation to the patient with agranulocytosis involves:

Answer 6

• management of oral bacterial infection until such time that the underlying cause of the agranulocytosis can be eliminated
• detection of undiagnosed agranulocytosis is a less common role for the dentist, since the patient will likely have initially presented to his/her physician for evaluation of symptoms and signs associated with bacterial infection involving nonoral sites (e.g., oropharynx, skin) with or without concomitant oral bacterial infection involving the periodontium and/or oral mucosa

Question 7

Neutropenia: