Linear Leukoplakia on the Right Lateral Border of the Tongue
DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION

History of Present Illness

Jay is a 26-year-old homosexual male who presents to your office for a routine dental examination. His medical history is unremarkable.

Medical History

• Adverse drug effects: allergic to penicillin
• Medications: Flonase (prn) for seasonal allergies
• Pertinent medical history: unremarkable
• Pertinent family history: paternal - alive, prostate cancer; mother - alive, atrial fibrillation and hypercholesterolemia
• Social history: occasional recreational drug exposure; uses smokeless tobacco since age 14; 1-2 beers on the weekend

Clinical Findings

Extraoral examination is within normal limits. Intraoral examination is within normal limits except for areas of linear leukoplakia on the right and left lateral borders of the tongue. The patient states that he unaware of these lesions and they are asymptomatic. He reports no history of trauma in the affected areas.

Histopathologic Findings

Histopathologic examination reveals surface epithelium and underlying connective tissue. The surface epithelium is markedly hyperplastic and covered by a thickened, irregular layer of parakeratin. Aggregates of bacterial organisms are noted in the parakeratin layer (Figure 2). The nuclei of the squamous epithelial cells in the superficial epithelium exhibit nuclear beading (chromatin is pushed to the periphery of the nuclear membrane - Figure 3). Epstein-Barr virus encoded small RNAs (EBER) in situ hybridization is positive.