Almazyad A, Alabdulaaly L, Noonan V, Woo SB. Oral hairy leukoplakia: a series of 45 cases in immunocompetent patients.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2021;
132:210-216. [PMID:
34030995 DOI:
10.1016/j.oooo.2021.03.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is a benign Epstein-Barr virus infection typically presenting as a white lesion on the lateral border of the tongue. Historically, OHL was described in patients who are severely immunocompromised, such as those with HIV/AIDS and organ transplant patients. OHL is increasingly seen in patients who are not severely immunocompromised. This study reviews 45 cases of OHL in a single institution and characterizes the clinical features of these relatively immunocompetent patients.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective study.
RESULTS
There were 45 cases with 23 male patients (51.1%) and a median age of 64 (range, 24-100 years). The lateral/ventral tongue was the affected site in 41 cases (91.1%), and 5 cases presented bilaterally. A review of the medical history and medications showed the most common conditions were hypertension (53.3%), hyperlipidemia (42.2%), and chronic respiratory conditions (33.3%); 8 patients (17.8%) had diabetes mellitus, and 1 had rheumatoid arthritis. Eleven cases (24.4%) reported no underlying medical conditions or history of medications. The most frequently reported medications included antihypertensive drugs (21.0%), steroid inhalers (14.6%), and cholesterol-lowering drugs (11.0%).
CONCLUSIONS
OHL is not exclusively seen in profoundly immunocompromised patients. Localized immunosuppression (from steroid inhalers) and immunosenescence (aging) are possible contributing factors.
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