title: Benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue: an enigmatic oral lesion.
abstract: Benign migratory glossitis, or geographic tongue, is usually an asymptomatic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that affects the epithelium of the tongue. Local loss of filiform papillae leads to ulcer-like lesions that rapidly change the color and size. Histopathologic findings parallel the clinical appearance, and may have a psoriasiform pattern. The disorder is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. In most cases, patients do not require treatment other than reassurance about the benign nature of the disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. dassimak@cc.uoi.gr
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Assimakopoulos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patrikakos
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fotika
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elisaf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005929:Glossitis, Benign Migratory / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology