hairy leukoplakia

From Aaushi
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Introduction

Whitish discoloration of the tongue that does not scrap off easily.

Etiology

Epidemiology

Clinical manifestations

  • painless patches of white, linear, frond-like lesions on the buccal mucosa & tongue
  • lesions do not scrap off easily as does thrush (Candida)
  • lesions may wax & wane over time or resolve spontaneously

Laboratory

  • none generally needed
  • biopsy shows changes typical for EBV
  • scrapings from lesions may show colonization with Candida

Complications

Differential diagnosis

Management

More general terms

Additional terms

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
  2. 2.0 2.1 NEJM Knowledge+ Gastroenterology