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Rusty green stained temporal bone associated with exposure to tetracycline: an unusual presentation of black bone disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2015

B Farahnik ,
S Zaghi ,
L Hendizadeh  and
Q Gopen
B Farahnik
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
S Zaghi*
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
L Hendizadeh
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Q Gopen
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Soroush Zaghi, 10833 LeConte Ave, Rm 62-132, CHS, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1624, USA E-mail: szaghi@mednet.ucla.edu
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Abstract

Objective:

To review the phenomenon and implications of temporal bone and craniofacial bone staining in the context of prolonged exposure to tetracycline antibiotic.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

A 52-year-old male with a 5-year history of tetracycline use presented to undergo tympanomastoidectomy and was found to have an unusual rusty green pigmentation of the entire aspect of the exposed temporal bone. A literature review revealed more than 20 cases of tetracycline-induced pigmentation of intraoral maxillary and mandibular bone, and 2 prior cases involving the cranial bones.

Conclusion:

Tissue and organ pigmentation is an unexpected and unfavourable consequence of the use of tetracyclines, particularly minocycline. Tetracycline is contraindicated in children because of the risk for dysosteogenesis and enamel hypoplasia. In adults, although the unusual staining may present as an unexpected dilemma upon surgical exposure, current research shows no significant clinical consequences for this type of pigmentation.

Keywords

Anti-Bacterial AgentsBone DiseasesMinocyclinePigmentation DisordersTemporal BoneTetracycline

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 3 , March 2015 , pp. 276 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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