title: Histomorphometric characterization of subgemmal neurogenous plaques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to characterize the histomorphometric features of subgemmal neurogenous plaques (SNPs) to better understand their relationship to surrounding microanatomy included in the tissue biopsy samples of the tongue.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-year retrospective study on the files of 3 oral pathology centers yielded 28 SNPs. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were used for histologic analysis, and immunohistochemical staining for S100 protein was performed to better characterize the neural structures. Slides were scanned and histomorphometric analysis carried out using ImageScope software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one women (75%) and 6 men (21.4%) comprised the sample (mean age 46.4 and 49 years, respectively). Twenty cases (71.4%) were juxtaposed to the tongue epithelium and 16 cases (57.1%) were associated with lymphoid tissue. The mean area of the SNPs was 0.160 mm2, and the mean distance to the overlying epithelium was 0.312 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SNPs are normal neural structures located on the posterior border of the tongue that represent a non-neoplastic regional anatomic variation. In some cases, signs or symptoms may be present, and further investigation should be performed. Pathologists should be aware of this entity to avoid confusion with neural lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil. Electronic address: anacarolinapellicioli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Amorim
authors.initials: ACA
authors.lastname: Pellicioli
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe Paiva
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Neves
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinic and Preventive Dentist, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alcino Monteiro
authors.initials: LAM
authors.lastname: Gueiros
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Oslei Paes
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pablo Agustin
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcio Ajudarte
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Service of Oral Pathology, João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: Helder Antonio Rebelo
authors.initials: HAR
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil; School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoela Domingues
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vinícius Coelho
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Carrard
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alan Roger
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Santos-Silva
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation