Noma (cancrum oris, gangrenous stomatitis) is a severe gangrenous disease of orofacial tissues seen in malnourished children.
Before necrosis the following are common presentations [7]:
These are followed by rapid, painless and extensive necrosis of the oral cavity which should involve the cheek, nose and palate bones. There may be necrosis of the genitalia and mucocutaneous gangrene may be seen during the neonatal period.
Diagnosis is reliant on swabs and cultures for organisms [8]. The result often shows Borrielia vincentii and fusiform bacilli. In rapidly progressing cases, anaerobes may be detected.
To determine the extent of the condition, facial x-rays and CT scans can be used.
Treatment involves the following [9]:
The last stage of treatment in some cases is plastic surgery which involves facial reconstruction and the possible repair of temporomandibular joint.
The clinical course for each case varies a great deal and the mortality and morbidity rate is high as 70-90% of cases die [6]. It remains to be seen if this high mortality is as a result of clinical manifestations or as a result of poor or inaccurate diagnosis.
Fusobacterium necrophorum and Prevotella intermedia are believed to play a role in the development of this disease [2]. The interactions that bring about the disease remain unclear but it is believed to develop following acute necrotising fasciitis.
The following are risk factors documented for the condition [3]:
The condition is a disease of children as 80% of cases are seen in patients less than 10 years old [4]. It is common in developing countries, most especially in the poorest areas of Africa, parts of Asia and parts of South America. A total of 100,000 people are affected per year by this condition.
Noma refers to a severe disfiguring gangrene of the face and mouth which first starts as gingival ulcer before it spreads rapidly through the tissues in the mouth and face [5]. Unlike what is obtainable with other facially infectious processes, noma can disrupt anatomic barriers by spreading through the bone and muscle instead of progressing along anatomic spaces of the head and neck. The gangrene that results may involve the maxilla and the mandible and also extend to the infra-orbital margins as well as the nose.
The main preventive measures include proper nutrition, cleanliness as well as sanitation [10].
Noma is a type of disease which destroys the mucous membranes of the mouth as well as other tissues. It is seen mostly in malnourished children in parts of the world known for uncleanliness and living closely with animals.
The main cause is unknown however it I believed to be as a result of bacteria known as fusospirochetal organisms. The disorder is most potent when the child has had illnesses such as measles, scarlett fever, tuberculosis, cancer and other forms of immunocompression.
Treatment is often with the aid of antibiotics but the chance of survival is often very poor most of the time.
