Description
Oropharyngeal ulceration is occasionally seen by
otolaryngologists in the emergency setting.Major aphthous
ulceration can cause difficulty with eating,and can lead to
long term injury to the oropharynx from severe fibrosis.
The use of thalidomide in the past has led to severe
side-effects,notably limb defects in the children of women
who have taken it for pregnancy-induced morning sickness.
It is currently enjoying a revival in the setting of
oropharyngeal ulceration,particularly related to systemic
disease such as HIV infection,Behcet s disease,and
Crohn s disease.
We describe the case of a 17 year old female with
recurrent,severe oropharyngeal ulceration which was
refractory to treatment with antibiotics,steroids,and
azathioprine,but who subsequently responded well to
treatment with thalidomide.
