Discoid lupus erythematosus oral findings: A case report

Abstract

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic, autoimmune and a mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology. In this case report we presented the intra oral findings and histopathological examination results of a patient who diagnosed and medically treated with DLE. A 59-year-old female patient referred to our clinic with complaint of burning sensation and redness in the gingiva. The patient was previously diagnosed with DLE and had been taken treatment because of the systemic symptoms. Intra oral examination showed gingival inflammation, macule in the palatal mucosa, telangiectatic areas in the buccal mucosa, erythematos and Nicolsky's sign (+) areas especially in the free and attached gingiva of the vestibule surfaces of maxillary and mandibular teeth. Following the clinical and radiographic examination she was diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Histopathologic examination was performed on biopsy taken from vestibular surface of mandibular anterior teeth. DLE is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. Further it has been reported that oral mucosal lessions of DLE may occur before the skin lesions. For this reasons, intra oral lessions and systemic findings of DLE patients should be well examined and followed up after diagnosis.