Spontaneous loss of sensibility of the lower lip

A young African male was referred after the spontaneous loss of sensibility to the left of the lower lip. Anaesthesia of the left lower alveolar nerve could be confirmed. X-rays did not reveal any signs of pathology in the left mandible while clinically the gingival was tender on palpation. He was known to have sickle cell anemia. Differential diagnosis included a sickle cell mediated osteomyelitis due to infarction of the microvasculature.The diagnostic work up included additional PET scans to confirm the clinical diagnosis.The pathogenesis of sickle cell anemia and its importance to the dentist is discusse