Oral ulceration and Behcet's syndrome.

Abstract

Ulcers in the [human] mouth are common manifestations of many local or general disorders. Inadequate attention has been paid to the differential diagnosis of recurrent oral ulcers. A small but important proportion of patients suffer from frequent or continuous ulceration which causes severe pain, with associated difficulties in speaking and eating and loss of weight. Ulceration is the most common lesion of the oral mucosa and the differential diagnosis can be complex. Recurrent oral ulcers are the most common lesions and they will be considered with Behcet''s syndrome, as there is no obvious line of division between focal oral ulcers and the multifocal involvement of different tissues. This syndrome is more common than was previously thought, if one allows for the definition of 2 or more major sites of involvement, especially with regard to oral and genital ulcers. The gastroenterological and hematological disorders will also be discussed, as considerable interest has been generated in the relationship between aphthous ulcers and those associated with anemia and malabsorption.