Photogallery of diseases of the oral mucosa. Part I

Nowadays, more than 300 diseases of the oral mucosa have been established in the scientific literature. Since pemphigus vulgaris and lichen planus can mimic many other skin conditions it could be difficult to make the diagnosis according only to clinical features. Moreover, pemphigus vulgaris is known to be an autoimmune life-threatening disorder which necessarily need to be treated with high doses of systemic glucocorticoids, whereas lichen planus in some cases can be transformed into squamous cell carcinoma.

The drug associated erythema and the herpes associated erythema multiforme both affect not only the oral mucosa but also the skin, which makes differential diagnosis easier. Nevertheless, in our practice we can encounter only the oral cavity involvement. Previously, Stevens–Johnson syndrome was considered as severe form of erythema multiforme affecting both the skin and the oral mucosa.

Additionally, cheilitis can be observed in patients with atopic dermatitis even in the remission stage.

Furthermore, Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by recurring facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips, and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue.