Head and neck Epstein-Barr virus mucocutaneous ulcer: Case report and literature review.
To report the clinical presentation, treatment, and management outcomes of patients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) of the head and neck, which is a newly characterized pathologic entity with aggressive morphology but follows an indolent, self-limiting clinical course.



Case report and literature review.



A case of EBVMCU of the base of tongue is reported and a retrospective review of all cases of EBVMCU of the head and neck at a single academic institution was conducted between January 1, 1986 and April 1, 2015. The MEDLINE database was additionally queried from January 1, 1950 to April 1, 2015 for all reports of EBVMCU of the head and neck, and all pertinent clinical data were extracted.



The clinical presentation, treatment, and response of a patient with EBVMCU of the base of tongue are presented. Interim follow-up of the patient has revealed a complete remission with discontinuation of immunosuppression and rituximab therapy. A review of the literature supports conservative management and reduction of immunosuppression. Overall, 96.6% of patients with follow-up greater than 2 months achieved complete remission with conservative management. The current study is the largest series to report on the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of EBVMCU of the head and neck.



EBVMCU tends to follow an indolent and self-limiting clinical course, responding to reduction of immunosuppression and conservative treatment. It is imperative for clinicians to consider EBVMCU in the differential diagnosis of mucocutaneous ulcers of the head and neck to avoid excessive treatment.



Laryngoscope, 126:2500-2504, 2016.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Joshua K
JK
Au
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.|University of California Los Angeles Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.|Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
Jonathan W
JW
Said
University of California Los Angeles Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.|Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Ali R
AR
Sepahdari
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. mstjohn@mednet.ucla.edu.|University of California Los Angeles Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. mstjohn@mednet.ucla.edu.|Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. mstjohn@mednet.ucla.edu.
Maie A
MA
St John
D000368:Aged; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000821:virology*; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000821:virology*
Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr virus mucocutaneous ulcer