RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Tongue hyperpigmentation is a rare side effect in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who are receiving peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy. Tongue hyperpigmentation usually occurs after the patient has undergone several months of treatment, and it resolves after the patient discontinues therapy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 66-year-old dark-skinned woman with hepatitis C virus infection was referred to the Oral Diseases Treatment Center of São Leopoldo Mandic Dental School, Campinas, Brazil, for evaluation of tongue pigmentation after receiving peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy for 32 weeks. A physical examination showed dark brown, asymptomatic pigmentation in the dorsum of the tongue. Six months after the patient discontinued therapy, the authors observed a marked reduction in the pigmentation's intensity. CASE IMPLICATIONS: Dentists should be aware that hyperpigmentation of the tongue can result from peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy. A biopsy should be performed if no firm diagnosis can be obtained from clinical findings and the patient's medical history.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/efectos adversos , Hepatitis C/tratamiento farmacológico , Hiperpigmentación/inducido químicamente , Ribavirina/efectos adversos , Enfermedades de la Lengua/inducido químicamente , Anciano , Brasil , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Combinación de Medicamentos , Femenino , Humanos , Hiperpigmentación/diagnóstico , Interferón alfa-2 , Interferón-alfa/efectos adversos , Polietilenglicoles/efectos adversos , Proteínas Recombinantes , Pigmentación de la Piel , Enfermedades de la Lengua/diagnósticoRESUMEN
The authors examined the clinical and histopathological features of 48 cases of mucocele of the glands of Blandin-Nuhn. Data of all patients with mucocele treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery totaled 312 cases during the 6-year period of study were analyzed. There was no sex predominance, and most patients were younger than 20 years. All lesions were located on the ventral surface of the tongue, and they were more frequently observed at the tip of the tongue whereas few ones occurred more posteriorly. All lesions presented a polypoid appearance. Histopathologically, the mucoceles were of the extravasation type and trauma might be the most frequent etiological factor. This type of mucocele was the second most frequent one and should not be considered rare.
