The Hindu : Karnataka News : An inscrutable problem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 18, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

An inscrutable problem

Sahana Charan

Only 200 cases have been recorded since the disease was first detected in 1838.

A crippling loss: R.M. Narayanaswamy looking at the X-ray of the affected area. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: His case has been presented in several national and international conferences. He has baffled medical professionals who cannot seem to find any solution to his problem.

R.M. Narayanaswamy seems to have no reprieve from the rare medical condition he is afflicted with. This 42-year-old primary school teacher is reportedly the only person in India suffering from the "Vanishing Bone Disease" in his left jawbone.

The disease also known as Gorham's disease, disappearing bone disease or idiopathic massive osteolysis has no cure. It is usually treated by reconstruction of the affected area or radiation. But reconstructed bone also starts eroding, doctors told Mr. Narayanaswamy. Only 200 cases in have been recorded since it was first noticed in 1838. But as in Mr. Narayanaswamy's case, there are only 32 cases of the disease occurring in the maxillo-facial region, according to doctors.

Gorham's Disease is an extremely rare bone disorder characterised by bone loss and often associated with swelling or abnormal blood vessel growth. Bone loss can occur in just one bone or spread to soft tissue and adjacent bone.

The regions in the body that may be affected by this disease include the hand, arm, shoulder, ribs, part of the pelvis, thighbone and jaw. When the lower jaw, upper jaw, tooth sockets, or other bones in the face, neck or head are affected, possible symptoms may include pain, loose teeth, fractures, facial deformity or recurrent meningitis.

Mr. Narayanaswamy's case was presented at the World Dental Congress in New Delhi in September last year by Dr. Sathwik B.S. Till now no possible cure has been suggested. At the moment he is taking homoeopathic treatment that he feels has slowed down the bone loss. But he suffers from immense pain in his left jaw and cannot laugh or speak loudly.

"I first realised that I had the problem almost six years ago when I had slight pain in my jaw and could not fully open my mouth. But in 2002 when I went for a check-up at the M.S. Ramaiah Dental College Hospital it was found that my left jaw bone was disappearing," says the school teacher from Vaderahalli. Causes for the condition are not known but Mr. Narayanaswamy feels it may been resulted from a fall he had during his childhood after which he had difficulty in eating.

The teacher seems to have resigned to the fact that his condition is incurable. But he wants is relief from the pain that he is suffering.

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