Epstein-barr –positive ulcers of the oral cavity associated with immunosuppression in a patient with cancer

A 24-year-old man with synovial sarcoma was hospitalized for neutropenic fever after chemotherapy, complaining of gingival pain for 1 day. No lymph node involvement was detected during neck palpation. Intraoral exam revealed a purple lesion involving the attached gingiva on the maxilla and mandible, of increased size and with a detachable overlying white plaque. There was rapid evolution to ulcerated lesions, causing an inability to feed. We performed an incisional biopsy and referred the patient for anatomopathologic examination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and culture for fungi and bacteria, a prescription of chlorhexidine 0.12%, and empiric fluconazole and acyclovir.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research