Leukoedema

Etiology • Unknown • Benign; common in general population, with racial clustering
in Blacks
Clinical Presentation • Symmetric, asymptomatic • Buccal mucosa involved by gray-white, diffuse, milky surface

Prognosis • Excellentwith an opalescent quality • Wrinkled surface features at rest • Dissipation of changes with stretching of mucosa
Diagnosis • Clinical recognition is sufficient. • Biopsy findings will show marked intracellular edema of
spinous layer. • Individual cells with clear cytoplasm and compact nuclei • Normal basal cell layer
Differential Diagnosis • Cheek chewing • Hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis • White sponge nevus • Lichen planus • Candidiasis
Treatment • None necessary; no relation to dysplasia/carcinoma • Reassurance
Prognosis • Excellent