Robert M. Craig

White corrugated mucosa

A patient with white sponge nevus involving the buccal mucosa, labial mucosa, and soft palate is reported. The salient clinical and histological features of the disease were discussed. This diagnosis should be considered when bilateral white lesions of buccal mucosa are encountered. Early onset, a familial history, and the asymptomatic nature are key features to the disease. If historical data and clinical features are suspect, an incisional biopsy is adequate for diagnosis.

Erythroplastic lesion on the mandibular marginal gingiva

Carcinoma of the gingiva is a significant risk to patients because the asymptomatic characteristics of erythroplastic lesions are not always readily identified. This case report shows the similarity in clinical appearance of squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva to the common inflammatory changes associated with periodontal disease. A similar clinical presentation might be seen in any lesion with increased vascularity, including Kaposis sarcoma associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Any erythroplastic change involving the oral mucosa should be viewed with suspicion and, if not resolved after removal of local sources of irritation, must be biopsied to establish a definitive diagnosis.