Iatrogenic cushing's syndrome post intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in oral submucous fibrosis: 2 case reports

BackgroundOral Submucous Fibrosis (OFMF) is an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMDs), strongly linked to betel quid chewing. It exhibits a significantly higher rate of malignant transformation compared to other OPMDs. The use of Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection has emerged as a highly effective treatment option and has become the cornerstone of managing this condition.Case PresentationA 44-year-old female and a 40-year-old male presented with burning sensation and limited mouth opening, leading to diagnosis of OSMF. Both patients were treated with Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAC) Intralesional injections. Following a few months of treatment, a significant improvement in mouth opening was observed. However, both patients began experiencing symptoms such as facial rounding (mooning of the face), a buffalo hump, uneven hair growth, and swelling in the lower extremities. Upon recognizing these symptoms as indicative of Cushing's Syndrome, the administration of TAC injection was discontinued. Both patients were referred to a higher-level medical facility for confirmatory tests, which revealed elevated cortisol levels in both morning (Cortisol A.M) and evening (Cortisol P.M).ConclusionTAC injection has been established as an effective treatment for OSMF. However, it is crucial to closely monitor patients for any adverse effects resulting from the treatment, which may arise from high dosage or increased frequency.

Automated summary

This article presents two cases of patients with OSMF who were treated with Triamcinolone Acetonide (TAC) injections. Significant improvement in mouth opening was observed after treatment, but both patients developed symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome, leading to discontinuation of the treatment. Elevated cortisol levels confirmed the presence of Cushing's Syndrome.