Fissured Tongue Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Robert D Kelsch, DMD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 16, 2012
 

History

The lesions associated with fissured tongue are usually asymptomatic unless debris is entrapped within the fissure or when it occurs in association with geographic tongue (a common finding).

Next

Physical

Upon clinical examination, fissured tongue affects the dorsum and often extends to the lateral borders of the tongue. The depth of the fissures varies but has been noted to be up to 6 mm in diameter. When particularly prominent, the fissures or grooves may be interconnected, separating the tongue dorsum into what may appear to be several lobules.

Previous
Next

Causes

Although a specific etiology has not been elicited for fissured tongue, a polygenic or autosomal dominant mode of inheritance is suspected because fissured tongue is seen with increased frequency in families with an affected proband.[7]

Previous
Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert D Kelsch, DMD  Attending, Department of Dental Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, NSLIJ Health System, Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Robert D Kelsch, DMD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD  Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor, Hospital L'Archet, Nice University, France

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Dermatological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Research Associates of Cincinnati

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Oral Medicine, and American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

References

  1. Kaminagakura E, Jorge J Jr. Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome: a histopathologic mystery and dermatologic challenge. J Cutan Pathol. Oct 15 2009;[Medline].

  2. Dar-Odeh NS, Hayajneh WA, Abu-Hammad OA, et al. Orofacial findings in chronic granulomatous disease: report of twelve patients and review of the literature. BMC Res Notes. Feb 17 2010;3(1):37. [Medline].

  3. Stein SL, Mancini AJ. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in childhood: successful management with combination steroid and minocycline therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1999;41(5 Pt 1):746-8. [Medline].

  4. Alioglu Z, Caylan R, Adanir M, Ozmenoglu M. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: report of three cases. Neurol Sci. Feb 2000;21(1):57-60. [Medline].

  5. Gerressen M, Ghassemi A, Stockbrink G, Riediger D, Zadeh MD. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: case report of a 30-year misdiagnosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. Jul 2005;63(7):1035-9. [Medline].

  6. Kovac-Kovacic M, Skaleric U. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a population in Ljubljana, Slovenia. J Oral Pathol Med. Aug 2000;29(7):331-5. [Medline].

  7. Eidelman E, Chosack A, Cohen T. Scrotal tongue and geographic tongue: polygenic and associated traits. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. Nov 1976;42(5):591-6. [Medline].

  8. Rogers RS. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and orofacial granulomatosis. Dermatol Clin. Apr 1996;14(2):371-9. [Medline].

  9. Reamy BV, Derby R, Bunt CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician. Mar 1 2010;81(5):627-34. [Medline].

  10. Kullaa-Mikkonen A, Sorvari T. Lingua fissurata. A clinical, stereomicroscopic and histopathological study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. Oct 1986;15(5):525-33. [Medline].

  11. Nakane T, Hatakeyama K, Nakamura K, Aihara M, Nakazawa S. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome with isolated immunoglobulin E hypogammaglobulinaemia. J Int Med Res. Nov-Dec 2007;35(6):922-5. [Medline].

  12. Shulman JD, Carpenter WM. Prevalence and risk factors associated with geographic tongue among US adults. Oral Dis. Jul 2006;12(4):381-6. [Medline].

  13. Tan O, Atik B, Calka O. Plastic surgical solutions for melkersson-rosenthal syndrome: facial liposuction and cheiloplasty procedures. Ann Plast Surg. Mar 2006;56(3):268-73. [Medline].

  14. Yarom N, Cantony U, Gorsky M. Prevalence of fissured tongue, geographic tongue and median rhomboid glossitis among Israeli adults of different ethnic origins. Dermatology. 2004;209(2):88-94. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.