Radiculomegaly of canines and congenital cataracts-A syndrome? Amir H. Marashi, BS,n and Robert J. Gorlin, DDS, MS,b Minneapolis, UNIVERSITY
OF MINNESOTA
SCHOOL
Radiculomegaly of single teeth is very frequently affected. Although illustrated case reports. (ORAL
SURC ORAL MED
ORAL
PATHOL
OF
ii&w.
DENTISTRY
uncommon. Our survey indicates that the canine tooth is most in a number of texts of dental anatomy, there is a lack of detailed 1990;70:802-3)
H
ayward’ in 1980 reported a case of isolated canine radiculomegaly associated with congenital cataracts. We report cases of canine radiculomegaly in a sister and brother. The sister had congenital cataracts. Search of our files revealed another isolated example in a woman. There are a few other isolated case reports of canine radiculomegaly without cataracts.*, 3 CASE REPORTS CASE 1
A 20-year-old woman was seenin the radiology clinic for routine dental care. A panoramic radiograph revealed multiple root anomalies in all four quadrants, including root dilacerations and abnormally long-rooted caninesand incisors with open apexes. The patient had a history of dental problems, including slow eruption, retained deciduous teeth, extreme overbite, and malocclusion (Fig. 1). Medical history included congenital cataracts. Currently, the patient has glaucoma as a result of removal of the cataracts.
and open apexes.
CASE 2
The brother of the proband also has elongated canines in all four quadrants, although not of the exaggerated length, seen in his sister, but other dental anomalies or congenital cataracts were not evident. CASE 3
A 20-year-old woman was seen by an oral surgeon, who extracted two maxillary canine teeth, leaving the two lower canines. A radiograph was submitted with the extracted canines to the University of Minnesota Oral Pathology Service. Radiographically, one can see the elongated sockets of the extracted maxillary canines and the extremely marked length of the retained mandibular canines (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Case 3. Panoramic radiograph. Note extreme length of maxillary canine sockets and retained mandibular canines.
Despite repeated efforts to reach the patient to ascertain whether additional anomalies were present and whether there was a family history of the disorder, we were unable to locate the patient. Clinical
aFourth-yeardental student. bRegents’Professorof Oral Pathologyand Genetics. 7/16/22032
802
findings
Euler4 calculated the average length of maxillary canines to be approximately 27 mm. With the use of the ratio of clinical crown to radiographic crown, the average length of
Cataracts and radiculomegaly
Volume 70 Number 6
of canines
803
finding and its possible association with congenital cataracts prompted us to report this case. REFERENCES 1. Hayward JR. Cuspid gigantism. ORAL SURGORAL MED ORAL PATHOL 1980;49:500-1. 2. Weine FS. A very long cuspid. J Endod 1986;12:80-1. 3. Wilkie GJ, Chambers IG. Avery large maxillary cuspid. ORAL SURGORALMEDORALPATHOL~~~O;~O:~~~-60. 4. Euler H. Die Anomalien, Fehlbildungen und Versttimmelungen der menschlichen Zghne. Munich: JF Lehmanns Verlag, 1939:17-g. Fig. 3. Case 3. Extracted nine measures 47 mm.
maxillary
the canines was about 41 .S mm in case in case 2. Panoramic radiographs from parents of the affected siblings were tooth in case 3 measured 47 mm (Fig.
canines. Longer ca-
1 and about 35 mm the consanguineous not remarkable. A 3).
CONCLUSION
Radiculomegaly is a rare finding associated with canine and, less often, incisor teeth. The rarity of the
Reprint
requests
to:
Dr. Robert J. Gorlin University of Minnesota School of Dentistry 515 Delaware St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
OF MINNESOTA
SCHOOL
Radiculomegaly of single teeth is very frequently affected. Although illustrated case reports. (ORAL
SURC ORAL MED
ORAL
PATHOL
OF
ii&w.
DENTISTRY
uncommon. Our survey indicates that the canine tooth is most in a number of texts of dental anatomy, there is a lack of detailed 1990;70:802-3)
H
ayward’ in 1980 reported a case of isolated canine radiculomegaly associated with congenital cataracts. We report cases of canine radiculomegaly in a sister and brother. The sister had congenital cataracts. Search of our files revealed another isolated example in a woman. There are a few other isolated case reports of canine radiculomegaly without cataracts.*, 3 CASE REPORTS CASE 1
A 20-year-old woman was seenin the radiology clinic for routine dental care. A panoramic radiograph revealed multiple root anomalies in all four quadrants, including root dilacerations and abnormally long-rooted caninesand incisors with open apexes. The patient had a history of dental problems, including slow eruption, retained deciduous teeth, extreme overbite, and malocclusion (Fig. 1). Medical history included congenital cataracts. Currently, the patient has glaucoma as a result of removal of the cataracts.
and open apexes.
CASE 2
The brother of the proband also has elongated canines in all four quadrants, although not of the exaggerated length, seen in his sister, but other dental anomalies or congenital cataracts were not evident. CASE 3
A 20-year-old woman was seen by an oral surgeon, who extracted two maxillary canine teeth, leaving the two lower canines. A radiograph was submitted with the extracted canines to the University of Minnesota Oral Pathology Service. Radiographically, one can see the elongated sockets of the extracted maxillary canines and the extremely marked length of the retained mandibular canines (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Case 3. Panoramic radiograph. Note extreme length of maxillary canine sockets and retained mandibular canines.
Despite repeated efforts to reach the patient to ascertain whether additional anomalies were present and whether there was a family history of the disorder, we were unable to locate the patient. Clinical
aFourth-yeardental student. bRegents’Professorof Oral Pathologyand Genetics. 7/16/22032
802
findings
Euler4 calculated the average length of maxillary canines to be approximately 27 mm. With the use of the ratio of clinical crown to radiographic crown, the average length of
Cataracts and radiculomegaly
Volume 70 Number 6
of canines
803
finding and its possible association with congenital cataracts prompted us to report this case. REFERENCES 1. Hayward JR. Cuspid gigantism. ORAL SURGORAL MED ORAL PATHOL 1980;49:500-1. 2. Weine FS. A very long cuspid. J Endod 1986;12:80-1. 3. Wilkie GJ, Chambers IG. Avery large maxillary cuspid. ORAL SURGORALMEDORALPATHOL~~~O;~O:~~~-60. 4. Euler H. Die Anomalien, Fehlbildungen und Versttimmelungen der menschlichen Zghne. Munich: JF Lehmanns Verlag, 1939:17-g. Fig. 3. Case 3. Extracted nine measures 47 mm.
maxillary
the canines was about 41 .S mm in case in case 2. Panoramic radiographs from parents of the affected siblings were tooth in case 3 measured 47 mm (Fig.
canines. Longer ca-
1 and about 35 mm the consanguineous not remarkable. A 3).
CONCLUSION
Radiculomegaly is a rare finding associated with canine and, less often, incisor teeth. The rarity of the
Reprint
requests
to:
Dr. Robert J. Gorlin University of Minnesota School of Dentistry 515 Delaware St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
