Imaging of fibrosis of the oral mucosa by 20 MHz sonography

Objectives: To compare the ultrasonographic (US) appearances of the oral mu cosa in health with patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: An innovative 20 MHz US scanner was used to examine the lips, chee ks and oral vestibule of ten healthy persons and ten patients with SSc. The clinical, US and histopathological features of one patient with a fibro-ep ithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa are reported in detail. Results: Two patients with SSc displayed increased echogenicity due to fibr otic deposits. A similiar echo pattern was seen in the case of the histopat hologically verified fibro-epithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa. Conclusion: 20 MHz sonography may be suitable as a non-invasive tool for ev aluation of fibrosis of the oral mucosa.