Imaging of fibrosis of the oral mucosa by 20 MHz sonography.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the ultrasonographic (US) appearances of the oral mucosa in health with patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
An innovative 20 MHz US scanner was used to examine the lips, cheeks and oral vestibule of ten healthy persons and ten patients with SSc. The clinical, US and histopathological features of one patient with a fibro-epithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa are reported in detail.


RESULTS
Two patients with SSc displayed increased echogenicity due to fibrotic deposits. A similar echo pattern was seen in the case of the histopathologically verified fibro-epithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
20 MHz sonography may be suitable as a non-invasive tool for evaluation of fibrosis of the oral mucosa.
Jackowski
J
J
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
Jöhren
P
P
Müller
A M
AM
Kruse
A
A
Dirschka
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011127:Polyps / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography