Aphthous ulcer overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Aphthous ulcer Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Aphthous ulcer from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Aphthous ulcer overview On the Web

Most recent articles

cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Aphthous ulcer overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Aphthous ulcer overview

CDC on Aphthous ulcer overview

Aphthous ulcer overview in the news

Blogs on Aphthous ulcer overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aphthous ulcer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aphthous ulcer overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: José Eduardo Riceto Loyola Junior, M.D.[2]

Overview

An aphthous ulcer or canker sore is a type of mouth ulcer which presents as a painful open sore inside the mouth, caused by a break in the mucous membrane. The condition is also known as aphthous stomatitis, and alternatively as "Sutton's Disease," especially in the case of multiple or recurring ulcers.

Historical Perspective

The term aphthae was first used by Hippocrates at between 460-370 B.C., in relation to disorders of the mouth.

Classification

Aphthous ulcer may be classified into 3 groups: major aphthous stomatitis, minor aphthous stomatitis and herpetiform stomatitis.

Pathophysiology

The exact pathophysiology of aphthous ulcer is not fully understood. The pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous ulcer is varies based on underlying medical conditions. It is thought that aphthous ulcer is the result of ​the cross reactivity theory between microbial antigens and mitrocondrial heat shock protein, dysembryoplastic theory, histopathogenesis of glandular cells in myxoma or the thrombotic theory​. Predisposing factors implicated so far in the development of aphthous ulcers are: trauma, smoking cessation, stress, hormonal disorders and food hypersensitivities.

Causes

The exact cause of aphthous ulcers is unknown. Factors that provoke them include stress, fatigue, illness, injury from accidental biting, hormonal changes, menstruation, sudden weight loss, food allergies, the foaming agent in toothpaste (SLS), and deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid.

Differentiating Gonadoblastoma from Other Diseases

Aphthous ulcer must be differentiated from malignant ulcers, infections, rheumatic and cutaneous disease.

Epidemiology and Demographics

The prevalence of aphthous ulcer is estimated to range from 1,000 to 60,000 cases per 100,000 individuals annually among adult, and 1,000 to 60,000 cases per 100,000 individuals among children.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of recurrent aphthous ulcers are use of denture or braces, gender, age, family history, oral diseases and stress.

Screening

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for gonadoblastoma. However, patients with XY gonadal abnormalities should be followed using sonography starting at age 2, every six months, until the gonads are removed.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

The natural history, complications and prognosis of recurrent aphthous ulcers varies with disease severity.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of aphthous ulcers.

History and Symptoms

Symptoms of aphthous ulcers include oral pain, dysphagia, and oral bumps that may have resolved spontaneously in the past.

Physical Examination

Patients with aphthous ulcers usually present with ulcers that may be may be shallow or deep, present in small (1-5) or large (5-100) numbers, may be scarring or not. These characteristics help physicians to classify the disease.

Laboratory Findings

There are no specific laboratory findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

X-ray

There are no X-ray findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

Ultrasound

There are no echocardiographic and ultrasound findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

CT scan

There are no CT-Scan findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

MRI

There are no MRI findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other diagnostic studies findings associated with aphthous ulcers.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

The majority of cases of aphthous ulcers are self-limited and require only supportive care. Aphthous ulcers normally heal without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks. Good oral hygiene should be maintained, and spicy, acidic, and salty foods and drinks are best avoided, as they may irritate existing ulcers and cause pain. Strong mouthwash such as Listerine has also been known to cause irritation because of its strong ingredients, and many oral care professionals discourage the use of it while having a mouth ulcer.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of aphthous ulcers.

Primary Prevention

There is no established method for prevention of aphthous ulcers. Dental hygiene and regular dentistry visits though are highly advised for improving bucal health and reducing the risk of aphthous ulcers.

Secondary Prevention

There is no established method for prevention of aphthous ulcers. Dental hygiene and regular dentistry visits though are highly advised for improving bucal health and reducing the risk of aphthous ulcers.


References

Template:Oral pathology


Template:WH Template:WS