BACKGROUND: Lupus erythematosus is a serious autoimmune disease, which can cause oral mucosal lesions, manifesting as white striae and erythematous, atrophic and hyperkeratotic areas, as well as erosions and ulcerations. Sometimes, these signs can be misdiagnosed as other oral diseases such as lichen planus. Also, on histopathological examination with haematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), the features of these diseases can overlap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors report here two cases of oral lesions of lupus erythematosus, with a discussion of their clinical features and the process of differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to consider in the diagnostic process for lupus erythematosus the whole clinical information as well as haematological tests, histopathological features in HE and direct immunofluorescence, not only at first evaluation but also during patient follow-up.
BACKGROUND:Lupus erythematosus is a serious autoimmune disease, which can cause oral mucosal lesions, manifesting as white striae and erythematous, atrophic and hyperkeratotic areas, as well as erosions and ulcerations. Sometimes, these signs can be misdiagnosed as other oral diseases such as lichen planus. Also, on histopathological examination with haematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), the features of these diseases can overlap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors report here two cases of oral lesions of lupus erythematosus, with a discussion of their clinical features and the process of differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to consider in the diagnostic process for lupus erythematosus the whole clinical information as well as haematological tests, histopathological features in HE and direct immunofluorescence, not only at first evaluation but also during patient follow-up.