Oral Medicine Block Presentation:Aphthous Ulcers

Submitted byRita Chen

Diana CraftSujain Dissanayake

Neil PatelAsha Sethu Madhavan

Aphthous UlcersPathogenesis

• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with evidence of an inappropriate innate immune response. The stages in which it progresses:*Preulcerative stage

T-lymphocytic infiltrate into epithilium. Cytokines involved: TNF-a, IL-2,IL-10.*Papular swelling with erythematous halo

Localized keratinocyte vacuolization with surrounding vasculitis.

Pathogenesis

*Ulceration Papular ulceration, covered by a fibrinous exudate.

*Healing with epithelial regeneration.

Although the exact cause for the exaggerated immune responseIs not known, there are a few known predisposing/precipitating factors.

Pathogenesis: Predisposing/Precipitating Factors

*Heredity -42% of patients have +ve family history. -90 of likelihood of developing lesions when both parents affected.

*Psychologic factors Stress and anxiety been implicated in development of aphthous ulcers.

*Mechanical trauma

Pathogenesis

*Endocrine Association of RAS with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, use of oral

contraceptives - suggest a possible relation to hormonal imbalance.

*Systemic Conditions-Behçet syndrome-Crohn disease-Immune disturbances (HIV, cyclic neutropenia), Viral infection (HSV1)-Drug exposure (NSAIDs, alendronate, nicorandil)

Pathogenesis

*Dietary deficiencies Iron, folate or vit B12 deficiency in patients increases chances of

developing aphthae (replacement therapy often improves the condition).

*Allergy Patients with known allergy could benefit from avoiding the allergen. -Common kinds of foods that are potential allergens: milk, cheese,

nuts, flour, tomatoes, citrus fruits, shellfish.-Cinnamic aldehyde: artificial cinnamon flavoring-Sodium lauryl sulfate present in toothpaste.

Aphthous UlcersClinical Presentation

– Painful open sores inside the mouth caused by a break in the mucuous membrane

– Typically white color / erythematous around lesion.

Clinical Presentation

4 Types:• Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (aka Sutton’s Disease)• Minor aphthous ulcerations – most common / least severe• Major aphthous ulcerations – greater than 10mm in size• Herpetiform aphthous ulcerations – most severe form

Clinical Presentation

• Minor Aphthous Ulcers– Occur in childhood / adolescence– Exclusively on non-keratinized mucosa (floor of

mouth, buccal mucosa, soft palate)– Usually yellow-grey in color with erythematous halo

less than 10 mm around it• Herpetiform aphthous ulcerations

– Occurs frequently in females– Onset usually in adulthood– Small numerous lesions of 1 – 3 mm in clusters

Clinical Presentation

• Major Aphthous Ulcers– Typically up to 10 mm in size– Painful and typically leave a scar– Take up to 1 month to heal

• Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis– Typically occurs in 10% of the population

Aphthous UlcersDiagnostic Tests

Diagnosis of aphthous ulcers is usually based on clinical signs and symptoms.

There are tests which may be ordered to rule out other ulcer etiologies:

r/o nutritional deficiency of vit B12, folate, iron r/o herpetic stomatitis with cytology smear (-) for

cytopathic effects, (-) viral culture/ immunofluoresence

r/o HIV for large, slow-healing ulcers

Diagnostic Tests

• r/o cancer for non-healing ulcer with biopsy• r/o Crohn disease with biopsy (+) for

characteristic granulomatous inflammation• r/o Behçet syndrome- presence of anogenital or

ocular lesions, arthralgia, skin, vascular or neurological involvement

• r/o cyclic neutropenia with CBC• r/o possible drug reaction due to cytopathic drug

therapies

Aphthous UlcersHistologic Appearance

• Aphthous Minor– Fibrinopurulent exudate overlying granulation tissue consisting

of many neutrophils, macrophages, and plasma cells. Mast cells and eosinophils are few.

• Aphthous Major– Same as aphthous minor, plus perivascular lymphocyte

infiltration. Inflammation goes deep into underlying connective tissue (CT). CT destruction heavy scar tissue formed upon healing.

• Herpetiform Ulcers– Identical to Aphthous Minor, shallow little CT destruction no

scarring.• Behçet Syndrome

– Similar to aphthous minor, plus severe vasculitis: destruction of blood vessel walls due to inflammatory cell infiltrates.

Histologic Appearance: Aphthous ulcer biopsy

*Inflammation accompanies ulceration: an area of epithelial degeneration.

*A diagnosis of aphthous ulcer cannot be based on histological findings alone.

*The dark line on right traces the basement membrane outlining intact epithelium.

Differential Diagnosis of Aphthous Ulcers

• Infection: HSV, CMV, HIV, Coxsackie virus, syphilis, histoplasmosis

• Autoimmune: Behcet’s disease, SLE, Crohn’s disease, bullous pemphigoid, pemphigous vulgaris, cicatricial pemphigoid, erythema multiforme.

• Neoplasms: squamous cell carcinoma.• Medications: methotrexate, chemotherapy.• Poor nutrition: including vitamin deficiencies.

Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers

1. Early treatment/avoidance of triggers:• Data support that early treatment promotes

more rapid healing.1

• Topical anesthetics including triamcinolone in orabase, fluocinonide gel in orabase.

• Identify and avoid triggers (physical trauma, emotional stress, food hypersensitivity like chocolate, sodium lauryl sulfate, menstrual cycle association).

1. Oral Lesions Goldstein, Beth MD. UpToDate.com

Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers cont’d

2. Supportive Care2

• Symptomatic relief– Anesthetics

• OTC Benzocaine• Compound anesthetics • Viscous lidocaine

– Covering agents/Compound agents• Kaolin and Pectin• 5% amlexanox• 1:1:1 solution of Milk of Magnesia + Benadryl + Viscous

lidocaine

OTC Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers

• Herbal remedies-Example: rock rose, 1:1 sage + chamomile mouthwash, echinacea.

• Cleansing agents-Example: hydrogen peroxide

• Toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate• Vitamins/dietary supplements: vitamin B, vitamin

C, zinc lozenges, L-lysine tablets.2. Dr. Younai’s lecture on Immunosurpressive therapeutics.

Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers in Autoimmune Disease (Behcet’s,

Crohn’s disease)• Local treatment: same as for other

conditions with focus on symptom relief. Topical tetracycline mouthwash may be of benefit in patient’s with Behcet’s disease, although this may cause staining of teeth.

• Systemic treatment: includes steroids, and immune modulators including cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, thalidomide, and cyclosporine.

Treatment of Aphthous Major • Emphasize on the combined use of short-term systemic drugs and

topical steroids– Systemic: thalidomide (200 mg daily x4 weeks) has been studied in HIV

positive patients who have severe recurrent aphthous stomatitis and has been shown to improve the chance of healing4. However, recurrence of ulcers is common after stopping treatment.

– Topical steroids: • Ex: Triamcinolone.

• Antimicrobial rinses to reduce secondary infection. -- Ex: Chlorhexidine gluconate

• Anti-inflammatory agents including 5% amlexanox.• Topical anesthetic to allow for eating3.

3. Contemporary oral and maxillofacial pathology 2nd Editon J. Philip Sapp

4. N. Engl. J. Med 1997; 336: 1487.

References• www.med.ucla.edu/modules/wfsection/article.php (UCLA Dept. of Medicine 2004)

• Sapp J, Eversole L., Wysocki G. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Mosby Inc. 2004. 2nd edition.

• Burket's Oral Medicine,Diagnosis and Treatment

• Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathology

• Wikipedia.org

• Young, Stephen K. Canker Sores & Cold Sores: What's the Difference. Continuing Education. University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Retrieved on 2006 August 22.

• Goldstein, Beth MD. “Oral Lesions” UpToDate.com

• Dr. Younai’s lecture on Immunosupressive Therapeutics

• http://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/research/priddy/HTMLS/MIC1RAU.HTM

QUESTIONS• Which test can provide a specific diagnosis of

aphthous ulcer?a. immunofluorescenceb. acid/base testc. brush biopsyd. there is no specific diagnostic test for aphthous ulcer

• What is the most common form of aphthous ulcers?a. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (aka Sutton’sDisease)b. Minor aphthous ulcerations c. Major aphthous ulcerations d. Herpetiform aphthous ulcerations