Rusty green stained temporal bone associated with exposure to tetracycline: an unusual presentation of black bone disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To review the phenomenon and implications of temporal bone and craniofacial bone staining in the context of prolonged exposure to tetracycline antibiotic.

METHODS:

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS:

A 52-year-old male with a 5-year history of tetracycline use presented to undergo tympanomastoidectomy and was found to have an unusual rusty green pigmentation of the entire aspect of the exposed temporal bone. A literature review revealed more than 20 cases of tetracycline-induced pigmentation of intraoral maxillary and mandibular bone, and 2 prior cases involving the cranial bones.

CONCLUSION:

Tissue and organ pigmentation is an unexpected and unfavourable consequence of the use of tetracyclines, particularly minocycline. Tetracycline is contraindicated in children because of the risk for dysosteogenesis and enamel hypoplasia. In adults, although the unusual staining may present as an unexpected dilemma upon surgical exposure, current research shows no significant clinical consequences for this type of pigmentation.

• Authors: B Farahnik, S Zaghi, L Hendizadeh, Q Gopen
• Journal: The Journal of laryngology and otology (J Laryngol Otol) Vol. 129 Issue 3 Pg. 276-8 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1748-5460 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25673477 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Tetracycline

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Bone Diseases (chemically induced, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pigmentation (drug effects)
• Pigmentation Disorders (chemically induced)
• Temporal Bone (drug effects, pathology)
• Tetracycline (adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)