Pyostomatitis Vegetans as an Early Sign of Reactivation of Crohn's Disease: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: The structures and lining of the oral cavity are an accessible mirror reflecting the health of an individual. They may play an important role in detecting and monitoring systemic diseases. Certain conditions that primarily affect other regions of the body may cause signs and symptoms in the mouth, either as the initial presenting symptom or in conjunction with other systemic manifestations. METHODS: Pyostomatitis vegetans, which occurred in a patient with a history of Crohn's disease, was diagnosed as an early sign of disease reactivation. RESULTS: The patient was treated with a topical fluorinated corticosteroid gel, which led to the improvement of the oral lesions. However, the oral lesions continued to recur over a period of several months until the underlying inflammatory bowel disease came under control. CONCLUSIONS: This report emphasizes the relationship of pyostomatitis vegetans to Inflammatory bowel disease and the importance of the oral lesions as initial presenting signs of systemic disease or activity.