EOSINOPHILIC ULCER OF THE TONGUE: A CASE REPORT

Eosinophilic ulcer is an uncommon, benign, self-limiting lesion of unknown etiology that may affect the tongue of a wide range of patients. A 49-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a painful 1.5-cm well-defined ulcer with hardened whitish margins located in the lateral border of the tongue, with duration of 1 month. Patient's history included radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cervical metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary tumor. Incisional biopsy results showed an ulcer covered by fibrinopurulent membrane, exhibiting mixed inflammatory infiltrate with occasional eosinophils. The final diagnosis was of eosinophilic ulcer. The lesion decreased in size but persisted after the biopsy. Complete resolution of the lesion was observed after weekly intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide. No recurrence was observed after follow-up of 6 months. Eosinophilic ulcer may clinically mimic oral squamous cell carcinoma.