Pathology: Oral lesion manifestations that you can blame on COVID-19

from out of town and had originally contacted his oral surgeon in San Diego with an inquiry as to what he should do. A script of Amoxicillin 500 (“just in case it’s bacterial”) was called in with further instructions to seek a clinical assessment with a local dentist should the lesion fail to improve or prove not to be bacterial. After five days, there were no changes. The patient shared that the lesion and area in general was very sensitive to acidic foods and overall painful when eating and performing day-to-day functions. Interestingly enough, he also shared that he had been under high levels of stress with his job due to travel resulting from COVID-19 and its impact on things that were beyond his control.

The clinical exam revealed a large 12x9 mm lesion on the right side of the junction between the hard and soft palate. It had a white center that was surrounded by an erythematous border, most notably advanced in the oral-pharyangeal direction (figure 1).

Related reading:

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Differentials

Differentials include: trauma, aphthous major, autoimmune disorders, viral, nutritional deficiencies

Definitive: aphthous major, the second most common form of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)

RAS, also commonly known as a canker sore, is the most common condition in the oral cavity affecting the mucosal soft tissue, impacting 15-20% of the population worldwide.¹ These conditions take on three different clinical forms–aphthous minor, aphthous major, and herpetiform ulcers. 

Cause

Most patients who are diagnosed with RAS are healthy, however those with systemic conditions or compromised immune systems are more susceptible, specifically those with Bechet’s syndrome and chronic gastrointestinal malabsorption disturbances (Crohn’s and celiac disease) that create nutritional deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron.¹ Furthermore, correlation has been found with the menstrual cycle, periods of stress/anxiety, and family history.¹ In this particular case, the patient reported being under severe stress as of late due to COVID-19 concerns with work and outside influences.

Treatment

It is advisable that the underlying cause be treated initially. With this patient and other similar cases, it is recommended that the patient alleviate stress and systemic compromises. There is no doubt that the current pandemic and ever-present anxiety has had a trickle-down effect on the general health, well-being, and mental stability of numerous individuals.

systemic medicinal application modalities. Topical treatment is beneficial for preventing superinfections and decreasing subsequent potential for secondary bacterial infections.² Chlorhexidine 0.2% rinse helps eliminate tram positive/negative bacterial and fungi and prevents the buildup of biofilms.²

This patient was prescribed a magic mouthwash elixir consisting of one part viscous 2% lidocaine, one part Maalox, and one part diphenhydramine 12.5mg/5ml. Follow-up a few weeks later via telephone was positive, and the patient was doing much better. He also reported that his stress levels had decreased.

Originally published in April 2020. Updated November 11, 2021.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles at this link and subscribe here.

References

1. Sapp JP, Eversold LR, Wysocki GP. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Mosby; 1997:245-249.
2. Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(5):26-36.