[Cranio-facial and dental manifestations of erythrocyte abnormalities]

Various types of erythrocyte lesions are observed: hemoglobin anomalies, enzyme disorders, membrane anomalies. This leads to a reduction in the duration of life of the erythrocytes or to abnormal erythropoiesis with, in both cases, reactive development of hematopoietic tissue. This extension of the medullary field in bones results in alterations that are initially visible on radiography, and then, in the severe forms, in the development of mainly craniofacial and dental dysmorphia with, in some cases, additional secondary enamel and dentine anomalies of the hemolytic origin. These anomalies were present to varying degrees in a series of patients in whom cranial radiographies were performed. In two cases there was a fortuitous association of dental anomalies of the melanodontia and opalescent dentine types. These patients may raise particular problems during dental care and treatment: risk of infection, respect of drug contraindications, latent cardiac insufficiency.