Leukoedema
- A blue, grey or white appearance of the mucosa (especially the buccal mucosa)
- Considered by many to be a variant of normal
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
- Incidence varies with ethnicities[1]
- Most common in black adults (90%)
- More common in smokers[1]
- ♀ = ♂
Clinical Features[edit | edit source]
- Diffuse, blue-gray-white, milky opalescent appearance of the mucosa
- Asymptomatic
- Usually occurs bilaterally
- Commonest site is buccal mucosa
- Can also occur on labial mucosa, palate or floor of mouth
- The mucosal surface can appear wrinkled and with white streaked lesions
- Can disappear or become less pronounced on stretching the mucosa
- Can also occur on the mucosa of the larynx or vagina
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Oral Lichen Planus
- Leukplakia
- Oral candidiasis
- White sponge nevus
Aetiology and Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]
- Unknown aetiology[3]
- Because of how common the lesion is, it is considered by many to be variation of normal
- Some suggestion that it is an acquired condition caused by local irritation
- Intracellular edema of the superficial epithelial cells coupled with retention of superficial parakeratin
- More common in smokers
- Becomes less pronounced with smoking cessation
- Smoking cannabis is known to be linked to this condition
Investigations[edit | edit source]
- Usually clinical examination alone is sufficient
- Biopsy may be needed to rule out differentials
- Exfoliative cytology (smear) may be helpful
Histopathology[edit | edit source]
- Increased epithelial thickness
- Elongated rete ridges
- Parakeratosis and intracellular edema of the spinous layer
- The cells of the spinous layer are vacuolated, large and possess pyknotic nuclei
- The superficial squamous cells have a clear, empty cytoplasm
- Thought to be caused by water within the cells of the spinous layer causing the light to reflect back as whitish
Management[edit | edit source]
No treatment needed
Prognosis and Complications[edit | edit source]
Benign
Follow-up[edit | edit source]
No follow-up needed
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Archard HO, Stanley HR. Leukoedema of the human oral mucosa. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology. 1968 May 1;25(5):717-28
- ↑ Huang BW, Lin CW, Lee YP, Chiang CP. Differential diagnosis between leukoedema and white spongy nevus. Journal of Dental Sciences. 2020 Dec;15(4):554.
- ↑ Martin JL. Leukoedema: a review of the literature. Journal of the National Medical Association. 1992 Nov;84(11):938.