PMC6215961_01
a) A nodulo-ulcerative lesion along the mandibular border. There was an adjacent teeth caries. b) Dental x-rays showing the radiolucency around the chronically infected tooth root (arrow). c) Resolution of the ulcer following dental extraction.
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Dental treatment (tooth extraction) was curative in all cases (Fig. 1).
A case treated outside our clinic with incisional biopsy from a "skin nodule". a) The appearance at the time of presentation to our clinic. Note the scar from the incisional biopsy in the center of the nodule. b) Teeth caries. c) The resolution of the nodule after dental treatment. The remaining scar was considered as an "unnecessary" scar; but it did not result in a medico-legal claim.
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The second case underwent (at a local hospital) incisional biopsy of a "benign skin tumor" which also resulted in a linear but acceptable scar (following the completion of the dental treatment); and no medico-legal claims were filed (Fig. 2).
A case treated outside our clinic with excisional biopsy of the skin lesion. One month later, the patient was referred to our clinic with recurrence. a) The appearance at the time of presentation to our clinic. There is recurrence with chronic inflammation at the site of the scar. b) X-ray showing the radiolucency of the adjacent molar tooth (arrow). c) The resolution of the chronic infection after dental treatment. The remaining scar was long and was considered "unnecessary", resulting in a medico-legal claim.
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Medico-legal claims were filed in both cases and both claims ended in favor of the patient against the surgeon (Fig. 3).