Head Neck. 2021 Sep 14. doi: 10.1002/hed.26872. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyze the frequency, clinical and demographic features of solitary and multiple/diffuse oral pigmented lesions submitted to histopathological examination, and to summarize the features that guide the clinical differential diagnosis.
METHODS: Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from biopsy records and descriptive statistics were performed.
RESULTS: Nine hundred and five (0.51%) oral pigmented lesions were retrieved among 177 356 specimens, being 95.9% solitary and 4.1% multiple/diffuse lesions. Regardless the overlapping clinical presentation, age, site, association with amalgam restoration, and a nodular appearance may help in the clinical differential diagnosis of solitary oral pigmentations. Patient’s habits, site, and systemic signs and symptoms are helpful in the clinical differential diagnosis of multiple/diffuse lesions.
CONCLUSIONS: Oral pigmented lesions are a rare diagnosis in oral pathology and solitary lesions are more commonly submitted to biopsy. Some key features help in the differential diagnosis, though biopsy can be warranted in doubtful cases.
PMID:34519124 | DOI:10.1002/hed.26872
