Cancrum oris

Synonyms: noma (from Greek: to devour); gangrenous stomatitis; face of poverty (flourishes where poverty is rife)

What is cancrum oris?¹

Cancrum oris (noma) is a mutilating necrotising disease. The consequent necrotising fasciitis, myonecrosis, and osteonecrosis results in destruction of facial structures with severe functional impairment and disfigurement.

Noma is not recurrent and is not transmissible.

Other oral problems are outlined in the related separate article Problems in the Mouth.

A disease of children (especially aged 2-6 years), it is seen in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, with rare cases reported in Asia and South America. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 140,000 people are affected per year.

Some cultures do not treat the disease, as it is considered taboo. This results in a barrier to detection of the disorder and to its appropriate management.

The exact aetiology is unknown but it is caused primarily by a polybacterial infection with secondary ischaemia, particularly in children who are malnourished or debilitated by systemic conditions including - but not limited to - malaria, measles, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.¹

The course of the disease is very rapid with progression from necrotising stomatitis to full thickness destruction taking just a few days.

• Prior to necrosis:
  

  • Poor oral hygiene is nearly always present.

  • Excessive salivation.

  • Malodour from the mouth.

  • Grey discoloration.

  • Gingival ulcer formation.

• Followed by rapid, painless and extensive necrosis of the oral cavity, which can involve the cheek, nose, palate and bones.

In 'noma pudendi' there is necrosis of the genitalia and, in 'noma neonatorum', mucocutaneous gangrene occurs during the neonatal period.⁴

• Swabs and culture for organisms - Borrelia vincentii and fusiform bacilli are commonly found, as are anaerobes in rapidly progressing cases.⁵

• Facial X-rays and CT scan to determine the extent of involvement.

Debilitated patients with established necrotising stomatitis should immediately be admitted to hospital for intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid and electrolytes, nutritional supplementation, and supportive medical care. Superficial necrotic tissue and mobile teeth should be removed, followed by frequent irrigation.

Later treatment requires plastic surgery with facial reconstruction and possible repair of temporomandibular joint.⁷

• Dehydration.

• Sepsis.

• Airway compromise.

• Facial disfigurement.

• Psychological stress.

Noma has a mortality rate of 90% within weeks after the onset of noma if left untreated.⁶