Clinical-morphological approach of white lesions of the oral mucosa

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The white lesions of the oral mucosa have a wide range of clinical manifestations with different etiology and varied prognosis, from benign conditions to dysplastic or carcinomatous lesions. Besides the fact that some specific classical characteristics are known that allow the differentiation of lesions, there are a number of other similar manifestations that complicate the determination of the disease, so the diagnosis establishment represent a primary direction in their management. PURPOSE. Presentation of known aspects, but also the continuous development of terms and systems with a clinical value of white lesions, as well as information on how these terms should be used in an international consensus. RESULTS. Of the total number of patients included in the study, 4 patients (28.6%) were diagnosed with oral leukoplakia (2 patients - verrucous form, 1 - flat form, 1 - erosive form), 5 (35.7%) – oral lichen planus, 3 (21.4%) - oral candidiasis, 2 (14.3%) - chemical lesion of the oral mucosa. During the histopathological examination signs of hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis underlined oral leukoplakia in 4 cases and signs of hyperkeratosis, orthokeratosis, the presence of Civatte bodies cells - oral lichen planus in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS. The characteristic aspects of white lesions of the oral mucosa are based on a various pathogenetic mechanism and are conditioned by keratinization disorders (leukoplakia, oral lichen planus), the development of surface fungal colonies (oral candidiasis), the presence of epithelial necrosis (chemical lesions).