Elastofibromatous changes in giant cell fibroma and amalgam tattoo: Unusual findings in common oral lesions

Several cases of elastofibromatous lesion affecting the oral mucosa have been reported. Clinically, these lesions may appear as small exophytic lesions or less often as white lesions. Therefore, fibrous hyperplasia and leukoplakia are not uncommonly considered in clinical differential diagnosis. Microscopically, elastic and fibrous connective tissue deposition is seen. Rarely, elastofibromatous changes can be detected when assessing intraoral lesions, including cysts, salivary gland neoplasms, and epithelial dysplasia. Here we report two oral lesions showing elastofibromatous changes, expanding their clinicopathological spectrum. The first case was a 46-year-old man with a history of asymptomatic nodular lesion on the palate 1 year ago, diagnosed as giant cell fibroma with elastofibromatous changes. The second case was a 79-year-old woman who presented a pigmented and mildly symptomatic lesion on the mandibular alveolar mucosa several months ago, diagnosed as amalgam tattoo associated with elastofibromatous changes.

Lingual Actinomycosis Clinically Simulating Nodular Median Rhomboid Glossitis: Literature Review and Report of Additional Case

Actinomycosis is an uncommon, subacute to chronic, suppurative bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces Israelii. About 3% of all actinomycosis cases occur in the tongue, often affecting adult patients (mean age, 50 years). The clinical characteristics of actinomycosis can resemble malignant or benign tumors, and other infectious diseases. A 56-year-old woman was referred presenting an ulcerated lesion on the tongue 1 year ago. Intraoral examination revealed an edematous nodular lesion with an ulcerated surface, slightly symptomatic, on the midline dorsum of posterior tongue, suggesting nodular median rhomboid glossitis. Cytology smear was negative for fungus. After excisional biopsy, histopathological examination showed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate supported by a fibrovascular connective tissue stroma, and at the deepest part, broad basophilic areas surrounded by neutrophils, containing numerous filamentous bacilli, which were highlighted by Gram and Groccott-Gomori staining. The final diagnosis was lingual actinomycosis. Oral amoxicillin treatment (8/8 h for 2 weeks) was started, and after 1-month complete resolution was observed. Lingual actinomycosis is a rare lesion that must be recognized by dentists, because its early diagnosis and correct treatment reduce the possibility of a clinical complication that compromises the patient's quality of life. Noteworthy, when located on the midline dorsum of posterior tongue, actinomycosis can simulate nodular median rhomboid glossitis, expanding its spectrum of clinical differential diagnosis.

Oral epithelial dysplasia grading: comparing the binary system to the traditional 3-tier system, an actuarial study with malignant transformation as outcome

BACKGROUND

Establishing the risk of malignant transformation (MT) in oral leukoplakia is usually based on grading oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) on biopsy tissue, for which two systems are proposed: a 3-tier and a binary system. Only very few actuarial studies have tested the accuracy of such methods in predicting MT, especially for the binary system. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the two grading systems in predicting MT in a cohort of oral leukoplakia (OL) from Brazil, with follow-up data METHODS: The sample comprised 878 individuals diagnosed with OL from 2005 to 2018. Follow-up data were obtained both locally and from the regional cancer registry. All lesions were graded using both the 3-tier and the binary systems. Kaplan-Meier curves (Log-rank Mantel-Cox) were used to assess risk and kappa to assess interobserver agreement RESULTS: Thirty-five individuals underwent MT (4%). Both systems demonstrated prognostic value, though the 3-tier system proved superior, with OR 9.23 (3.42-23.69), PPV 0.152, NPV 0.98, compared to binary OR 3.49 (1.79-6.79), PPV 0.079, NPV 0.976. Interobserver agreement was also superior in the 3-tier system (0.47, p<0.05) compared to the binary system (0.139, p=0.39). Combining the two systems enhanced prognostic values (OR 14.28, PPV 0.217, NPV 0.981).

CONCLUSION

The 3-tier system presented superior prognostic value to the binary system. Combining both systems to double-grade intermediate lesions might enhance risk assessment.

Intraoral epidermoid cyst with extensive elastofibromatous changes: an unusual finding

INTRODUCTION

Epidermoid cysts (ECs) are rare and occur in the head and neck regions with an incidence from 1.6 to 7% of all cysts. In the oral cavity, approximately 80 ECs have been reported, representing less than 0.01% of all cysts.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a 26-year-old man who developed a large EC in the midline floor of the mouth causing nodular swelling in the submental region and speech and swallowing difficulties. The lesion was surgically excised by intraoral approach and microscopically revealed an EC associated with extensive elastofibromatous changes in the cystic capsule.

CONCLUSION

Oral EC with extensive elastofibromatous changes is a finding extremely rare. The meaning of this finding is unknown, but a traumatic origin or deposit disorder of elastic fibers is suggested. To the best of our knowledge, intraoral EC with elastofibromatous changes has not been reported to date.