Abstract

RISSO, Marinês; VILLALPANDO, Karina Teixeira; PINHO, Márcia de Noronha  and  FILHO, Raul PALLOTTA. Pemphigus vulgaris: case report. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.3, pp. 515-520. ISSN 1981-8637.

The general designation of pemphigus covers a number of autoimmune pathologies characterized by the development of intraepithelial blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. It affects mostly people over 40, regardless of gender. Oral lesions may develop well before cutaneous manifestations develop. Therefore dentists have their share of responsibility to make an early diagnosis of the disease to improve the prognosis of treatment. A biopsy is essential to diagnose pemphigus along with awareness of the clinical characteristics of these lesions. The treatment of Pemphigus vulgaris involves the administration of oral and systemic corticosteroids in the early stages to control the disease, which, if handled improperly, can be fatal. The case reported in this article is one of pemphigus vulgaris that was treated and monitored, in addition to medical treatment, at the Dental Clinics of the Pontifica Universidade Católica de Campinas. As the case also involved chronic periodontal disease, the conclusion was that the two diseases were linked and the treatments were combined for the patient's well-being.

Keywords : Autoimmune diseases.; Epidermolysis bullosa.; Pemphigus..