Verruciform xanthoma of the oral mucosa. Report of four cases and a reviewof the literature

We present four new cases of verruciform xanthoma (VX) in the oral mucosa a nd review the literature. Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical f eatures of four new cases of VX were analysed together with cases found in a review of the literature. Expression of CD-68 was studied by immunohistoc hemistry. Only 162 cases were reported in the oral mucosa. Ninety were male s (55.5%) and 72 were females (44.5%). Mean age was 44.9 years. The majorit y of cases occurred in masticatory mucosa (69.7%). Our cases exhibited papi llary or verrucous proliferation of squamous epithelium associated with hyp erparakeratosis and with numerous foamy cells confined to the lamina propri a papillae. Foamy cells were positive to CD-68 antibody, showing a macropha gic nature. VX is a rare benign lesion, and is probably inflammatory. Howev er, its aetiology and pathological mechanisms remain unknown. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.