TRAUMATIC EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMA OF THE ORAL-MUCOSA - A CD30-1) LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER((KI)

Traumatic eosinophilic granuloma of the oral mucosa, also known as eos inophilic ulcer, is considered to be a reactive lesion of unknown aeti ology. It usually presents as a tongue ulcer and injury has been consi dered to play a role in its cause. We present a 72-year-old man who ha d suffered multiple episodes of recurrent eosinophilic ulcers of the o ral mucosa which underwent self-healing. Biopsy specimens (including f resh tissue) were studied with a combination of histology, electron mi croscopy and immunohistochemistry. A dense cell infiltrate composed of eosinophilis, lymphocytes and large mononuclear cells was constantly shown. Immunostains showed that the infiltrate was mainly composed of CD3+,CD4+,CD8-T-cells and CD1a+dendritic cells. Approximately 70% of t he T-cells expressed CD30 (Ki-1) antigen. On the basis of the clinical behaviour, histology and antigenic features, it seems reasonable to s uggest that traumatic eosinophilic granuloma of the oral mucosa may re present the oral countpart of primary cutaneous CD30 (Ki-1)-positive l ymphoproliferative disorders. This group of cutaneous lymphomas are in deed characterised by non-aggressive clinical behaviour (sequential ev olution in ulceration, necrosis and self-regression) and expression of CD30 antigen by the infiltrating large T-cells. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.