Treatment
Medical Care
Dental-related trauma
The source of chronic irritation must be eliminated when an eosinophilic ulcer is due to obvious trauma. Referral to a dentist is recommended if the lesion is related to a tooth, dental restoration, or appliance.
Although extraction of the anterior primary teeth is not recommended, this may resolve the ulcerations in Riga-Fede disease. However, if the teeth are stable, they should be retained. In these cases, breastfeeding should be discontinued, or a protective shield should be constructed to prevent any further trauma. These measures are usually sufficient to resolve the condition.
Media Gallery
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A 47-year-old African American woman with an eosinophilic ulcer on the lateral surface of the tongue. The anterior border of the lesion is raised. Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Raised, indurated, nonhealing ulcer on the lateral surface of the tongue. The lesion was related to an adjacent fractured tooth. Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Ulcer on the ventrolateral surface of the tongue. The differential diagnosis should include squamous cell carcinoma or an infectious etiology. Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Lesion on the lateral surface of the tongue. Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Low-power view showing an ulcerated surface epithelium with a dense cellular inflammatory infiltrate underlying the mucosal surface (original magnification X40). Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Cellular infiltrate composed mainly of large mononuclear cells, including histiocytes and submucosal dendrocytes, eosinophils, and scattered T lymphocytes (original magnification X400). Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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Inflammatory infiltrate extending through and between muscle bundles (original magnification X400). Courtesy of Dr Paul D. Freedman.
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