US7 Oral mucosal ulcerations

Oral mucosal ulcer represents a localized loss of the lining epithelium and sometimes also of the subjacent connective tissue. It could be persistent or recurrent and also single or multiple. As regards those persistent a large variety of etiologic factors have been suggested: this kind of ulcers could be a sign of a localised direct reaction to any physical/chemical injury or due to a drug‐related reaction (e.g. by chemotherapy). Mucosal ulceration could also occur in a multiplicity of diseases such as neoplasia, infection, immune‐mediated disease or as sign of systemic diseases (e.g. of blood, skin or gastrointestinal tract). A correct diagnosis needs to collect as carefully as possible symptoms, clinical stigmata; in certain cases it may be useful to perform a biopsy. As regards the recurrent oral ulcers (RAU), they are among the most common oral diseases and problems of oral medicine practice. RAU are characterized by recurring ulcers, classified as minor, major and herpetiform, confined to the oral mucosa without other signs of the disease. Due to numerous etiologic factors that are implicated in the etiology of RAU current concept consider RAU not as single disease but rather a clinical syndrome. The disease is essentially diagnosed by exclusion of other diseases, primarily based on detailed history, clinical examination and laboratory findings. Treatment includes variety of medications for local and systemic use that decreases symptoms but not the onset of new lesions and their recurrence. The recognition of differential diagnosis of RAU and adverse effects of medications is mandatory for the effective treatment.