Journal of Dental Medicine

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Zotero  

Rahimi M, Eini P. A middle-aged man with rash and systemic inflammation: Diagnostic challenges revealing an occult dental abscess; Case report. J Dent Med-tums 2025; 38 : 7
URL: http://jdm.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6333-en.html

 This article presents a challenging case of a 64-year-old man with episodic fever, urticarial rash, and arthralgia, prompting a detailed diagnostic process. Despite initial considerations of adult-onset Still's disease, the atypical symptoms led to further investigations, revealing a periapical abscess through a dental examination. The patient's symptoms significantly improved following dental intervention, challenging the initial diagnostic inclination towards a rheumatological disorder. This case underscores the importance of thorough physical examinations and interdisciplinary collaboration in reaching accurate diagnoses. The ultimate diagnosis of systemic presentation due to an occult dental abscess, highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to medical evaluations, considering various clinical aspects and avoiding diagnostics biases. This case study serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of medical diagnostics and the continued significance of holistic patient assessments and physical examination as valuable practicing skills.