A tooth removal led an Australian man in his 60s to the ER with nausea, dizziness, and tilted vision. Later, he was diagnosed with a rare disorder that causes brain blood vessels to wither.
While it’s uncertain if the bleed and dental work were linked, a recent case study suggests high blood pressure triggered a brain hemorrhage.
In the ER, the patient’s blood pressure stayed high. His eyes flicked left, his gait was off, and he leaned right, showing neurological issues.
They ruled out stroke first. A CT scan revealed a little bleed in his brain’s lower left side.
Brain blood vessels usually don’t leak easily. The cause of the bleeding was a priority. An earlier CT scan for suspected Parkinson’s showed no vessel issues but indicated brain damage due to reduced blood flow.
An MRI pinpointed white matter disease, linked to CADASIL, a rare condition that blocks small brain vessel blood flow due to a faulty gene.
A gene test confirmed CADASIL. The patient recovered but took aspirin and BP meds long-term.
Blockages are common in CADASIL, but brain bleeds aren’t, making this case unique. Only three similar cases have been reported during dental work.
Remember, dental health matters for brain health. Gum disease raises Alzheimer’s risk; poor oral hygiene shrinks memory-linked brain areas.
Stay calm and keep up with check-ups for a healthy smile and brain in the long run.
This research was published in BMJ Case Reports.
