Surgical removal of an impacted third molar in a patient with sturge weber syndrome – a rare case report and review of literature

The association of the classic port-wine stain of the face with ipsilateral atrophy and calcification of the cerebral cortex is known as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis or Sturge-Weber syndrome. Port-wine stains are a subgroup of capillary hemangiomas that usually involves the face and represent a cosmetically devastating disfigurement affecting many people.Other common findings of this syndrome are mental retardation, epileptic seizures, contralateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia, and congenital glaucoma. Intraorally, the lips, gingiva, tongue and buccal mucosa appear to be affected and exhibit vascular hyperplasia, hypertrophy and a red purplish color. Hard tissue involvement consists of bone overgrowth and tooth mal-eruption. Sturge Weber syndrome patients may or may not exhibit seizures, mental retardation based on the severity of the syndrome. Risk of massive haemorrhage is a constant threat while performing intraoral surgical procedures in such patients. The following case report highlights the case of a patient with Sturge Weber syndrome with a symptomatic impacted mandibular third molar which was surgically extracted under local anaesthesia while taking all necessary precautions. There was minimal bleeding intra and post-operatively and no post-operative complications were encountered.
Detailed clinical examination, investigations and adequate precautions should be taken during a surgical procedure to minimize any potential complications and manage these effectively.