Chronic ulcerative stomatitis: a case report

Oral lichen planus and related lesions. What should we accept based on the available evidence?

Recent new terminologies have been proposed for lesions in the sphere of oral lichen planus (OLP) that theoretically present unique aetiological, clinical, prognostic or management characteristics different from those of the so-called typical forms of OLP. We aimed to critically analyse what concepts and terminologies related to OLP should we accept based on the available evidence. A review of the literature was carried out in order to critically analyse the concepts and terminologies related to OLP. New concepts and terminologies include oral lichenoid lesions; contact lichenoid reactions, drug lichenoid reactions or those in the context of graft-versus-host disease; chronic ulcerative stomatitis; lichen planus pemphigoid; and some lesions that are difficult to categorise, such as OLP with features of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and lichenoid lesions of the upper labial mucosa. A multidisciplinary, multicontinent working group has recently published a guideline with recommendations for modifying definitions and terminologies associated with a disease, among which a reasoned, evidence-based justification for the proposed change is considered essential. An in-depth analysis of the newly proposed terms for OLP-related lesions shows that many of them are not justified. In this paper, we set out our position on the basis of the existing evidence on the appropriateness of the use of these new terms.

Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis (CUS) as an Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Challenge: A Literature Review

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is a rarely reported disease affecting the oral cavity, most often affecting middle-aged Caucasian females. The aim of the present study is to present the diagnosis, differentiation, and interdisciplinary treatment of this rare disease. CUS is characterized by the presence of an oral erosive or ulcerative lesion. The autoimmune pathogenesis of CUS includes affecting the antigen's activity by DNA-breaking and protein-hydrolyzing enzymes. The stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies (SES-ANA) are associated with CUS development. Clinically, the lesions presented in oral mucosa might resemble an erosive form of oral lichen planus, whereas gingival lesions seem to be similar to desquamative gingivitis related to dermatological diseases manifested in the oral cavity. Patients often report subjective symptoms related to oral mucosa and general symptoms. Histopathological presentation of CUS is often non-specific and includes sub-epithelial separation from underlying connective tissue, atrophic epithelium, and inflammatory infiltrate with an increased number of plasma cells and lymphocytes. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) might be used in CUS diagnostics. CUS generally remains nonsusceptible to corticosteroid treatments; however, antimalarial drugs and calcineurin inhibitors are more effective. Further research should be conducted in order to implement a diagnostic protocol and observe the long-term results of CUS management.

The 30th birthday of chronic ulcerative stomatitis: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is a chronic, ulcerative condition of the oral cavity, clinically and histologically similar to oral lichen planus (OLP), first described as a new disease entity in 1990 by Parodi et al. In this review, 30 years after our first description of CUS, we aimed to systematically review the literature of CUS cases reported ever since.

METHODS

We present a systematic review of CUS literature cases, performed in compliance with the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

Of 125 retrieved articles, 20 satisfied inclusion criteria. These described 76 CUS cases, all presenting orally evident disease: erosions (55%), white lesions (49%), erythema (49%), ulcerations (34%) were the most frequent signs; 54% experienced discomfort/pain. Topographically, buccal mucosa (68%) and gingiva (54%) were the most affected locations, followed by tongue (42%), hard palate (27%), labial mucosa (22%), and widespread involvement (15%). Great diagnostic delay (6.3 years) was evidenced highlighting CUS is an entity too often misdiagnosed. Histopathology found lichenoid features (46%) and non-specific inflammation (54%). Extra-oral involvement was reported in 21%, especially as LP (69%). Of DIF, 97% were positive; 3% negative, compensated by positive IIF, permitting diagnosis. Of patients on steroids, only 12% reported therapeutic success; most steroid-non-responsive patients passed to antimalarials, with 91.66% success when used alone, 100% success in combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

Dermatologists should suspect CUS in chronic steroid-unresponsive erosive/ulcerative stomatitis. In these cases, to diagnose CUS, the presence of stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies (SES-ANA) should be investigated through immunofluorescence. Once diagnosed, CUS can be treated with antimalarials, which are an effective treatment contrarily to corticosteroids.

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis: A systematic review of the clinical and microscopic features

Background

the purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review regarding clinical and histopathological characteristics, immunopathological findings, and treatment for chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS).

Material and Methods

 articles in English, published from January 1962 up to November 2017, assessing clinical and immunological features, treatment, and follow-up of patientes with CUS, were retrieved from three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS). A manual literature search was also conducted. A total of 12 studies met inclusion criteria, therefore, were analyzed in this review.

Results

CUS shares similiar clinical and microscopic features to those found in oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL). Hence, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is indispensable to define a final diagnosis. Due to the poor sample availability in the current literature, it is not possible to accurately confirm the prevalence and features of CUS.

Conclusions

in order to better evaluate this condition’s findings, further studies with a greater amount of similar immune-mediated diseases should be performed.

Key words:Chronic ulcerative stomatitis, immune-mediated diseases, immunofluorescence, lichen planus.

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis: A comprehensive review and proposal for diagnostic criteria

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by oral erosions and ulcers usually refractory to conventional treatments. The disease often involves middle-aged and older women with painful lesions sometimes resembling those of erosive oral lichen planus (OLP). The most affected sites are the buccal mucosa, the gingiva and the tongue, but the skin is involved in 22.5% of cases. Histopathologic features in CUS are non-specific and indistinguishable from those of OLP, with the exception of the presence of a mixed infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) analysis reveals the presence of stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies (SES-ANA) in the lower third of the epithelium. The IgG antibodies detected on DIF are directed against the ∆Np63α isoform of p63 expressed in the nuclei of the epithelial basal cells. A distinguishing feature of CUS is the low response to conventional corticosteroid therapy and the good outcome with hydroxychloroquine at the dosage of 200 mg/day or higher dosages. This paper presents a comprehensive review of CUS and is accompanied by a new case report (the 73rd case) and a proposal for updated diagnostic criteria.

Seventeen New Cases of Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis with Literature Review

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is a poorly understood disease with clinical and histologic overlap with lichen planus (LP). Unlike classic LP, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies in cases of CUS exhibit a granular pattern of IgG in nuclei of basal and parabasal cells. This study assesses the demographic, clinical, histologic, and DIF features of CUS. It is important to differentiate CUS from LP and other vesiculobullous diseases (VBD) because lesions of CUS are resistant to steroid therapy, which is typically used to control LP and VBD. A literature review and IRB-approved retrospective search of CUS was performed within the archives of the University of Florida (UF) Oral Pathology Biopsy Service from 2007 to 2017. Fifty-two cases were identified from the literature and seventeen new cases were identified in our series. All UF patients were female and the median age was 64-years. The majority of patients were Caucasian and the most common location was buccal mucosa. Frequent clinical presentations were pain, erythema, leukoplakia, and ulcerations. Histologic features included epithelial separation, atrophic epithelium, and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. All cases were confirmed with DIF testing that showed a speckled pattern of IgG staining in basal and parabasal cell nuclei. Fibrinogen was present in eleven cases and two cases were positive for C3. The results of our series are in accordance with the literature. Since CUS has overlapping features with LP and VBD, clinicians and pathologists should consider this entity and confirm diagnosis with DIF testing when recalcitrant oral ulcerative diseases are encountered.

Desquamative gingivitis: A review

Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is characterized by the erythematous gingiva, desquamation and erosion of the gingival epithelium, and blister formation. It is a common clinical manifestation in several diseases. Contact allergic reactions to various oral hygiene products and chemical agents have also been reported to represent as DG. The management of DG has been a major problem, largely because the etiology of the disease has been elusive. In this paper, we aimed to review the current literature on the pathogenesis, diagnosis management and prognosis of DG.

Desquamative gingivitis: A sign of mucocutaneous disorders-a review

Desquamative gingivitis is a clinical term to describe red, painful, glazed and friable gingivae which may be a manifestation of some mucocutaneous conditions such as lichen planus or the vesiculobullous disorders. It is important to be aware of this rare clinical entity so as to distinguish desquamative gingivitis from plaque induced gingivitis which is an extremely common condition, easily recognized and treated daily by the dental practitioner. This article gives an overview of desquamative gingivitis, its presentation, the possible causes, diagnosis and treatment. Early recognition of these lesions may prevent delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of potentially serious dermatological diseases.

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis: Diagnostic and management challenges—four new cases and review of literature

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is a recently described mucocutaneous disease characterized by involvement of mucosal surfaces and skin. The disease usually presents in the form of painful oral ulcers and has been seen predominantly among older women. Clinically, CUS patients may exhibit erosive or ulcerative lesions of oral mucosa resembling erosive lichen planus and/or other vesiculobullous lesions. Routine histology may exhibit features of lichenoid mucositis and is often nondiagnostic. Direct immunofluorescence studies of mucosal or skin biopsies usually reveal a unique pattern of IgG bound to nuclei of keratinocytes of the basal and parabasal cell layers. Chronic ulcerative stomatitis exhibits a unique resistance to standard treatments available, including topical and systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulatory medications. However, long-lasting favorable clinical responses may be achieved with hydroxychloroquine pharmacotherapy. We present the clinicoimmunopathologic findings of four cases of CUS and discuss the varied clinical, microscopic spectrum, and treatment for this chronic, debilitating, and often recalcitrant condition. A systematic review of the literature, including 35 previously reported cases, is presented.

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis: clinical, histopathologic, and immunopathologic findings

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS) is a mucocutaneous disease primarily involving mucosal surfaces, but occasionally may involve the skin. Clinically, CUS patients exhibit erosive or ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa that resemble erosive oral lichen planus. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies of mucosal or skin biopsies reveal a unique pattern of IgG immunoglobulin bound to nuclei of keratinocytes of the basal and lower one third cell layers, the stratified epithelial specific (SES) antinuclear antibody (ANA) pattern. Patient sera also exhibit circulating SES-ANA reactions on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) using an esophagus substrate. We report the clinical and immunopathologic findings of 3 cases of CUS and demonstrate autoantibody recognition of the CUS antigen on Western blot. An important reason to distinguish CUS from other oral ulcerative conditions is that it may be refractory to standard treatments with topical corticosteroids, and favorable clinical responses may be achieved with hydroxychloroquine pharmacotherapy.

Position Paper: Oral Features of Mucocutaneous Disorders

Part of periodontology involves the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of non-plaque-related diseases of the periodontium. The International Workshop for a Classification of Periodontal Diseases and Conditions noted that the periodontist may be called upon to manage non-plaque-related mucocutaneous disorders either alone, or as part of a treatment team consisting of physicians, dentists or other allied health care professionals. This informational paper will review the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common chronic mucocutaneous diseases, including those that may present as desquamative gingivitis or intraoral vesiculobullous lesions. This paper is intended for the use of periodontists and other members of the dental profession.

Oral and genital lichenoid reactions associated with circulating autoantibodies to desmoplakins I and II: a novel target antigen or example of epitope spreading?

We describe the first reported case of persistent oral and genital lichenoid reactions associated with circulating antibodies to 250- and 215-kd proteins, compatible with desmoplakin I and II, respectively. We discuss the potential role of epitope spreading, leading to the novel development of specific autoantibodies to desmoplakin.

Advanced diagnostic methods in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Part II: immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent methods

The practice of pathology is currently undergoing significant change, in large part due to advances in the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins in tissues. These advances have permitted improved biologic insights into many developmental, inflammatory, metabolic, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. Moreover, molecular analysis has also led to improvements in the accuracy of disease diagnosis and classification. It is likely that, in the future, these methods will increasingly enter into the day-to-day diagnosis and management of patients. The pathologist will continue to play a fundamental role in diagnosis and will likely be in a pivotal position to guide the implementation and interpretation of these tests as they move from the research laboratory into diagnostic pathology. The purpose of this 2-part series is to provide an overview of the principles and applications of current molecular biologic and immunologic tests. In Part I, the biologic fundamentals of DNA, RNA, and proteins and methods that are currently available or likely to become available to the pathologist in the next several years for their isolation and analysis in tissue biopsies were discussed. In Part II, advances in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence methods and their application to modern diagnostic pathology are reviewed.