Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Am J Med. 2002 Dec 15;113(9):751-5.Click here to read Links

Benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue: an enigmatic oral lesion.

Assimakopoulos D, Patrikakos G, Fotika C, Elisaf M.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. dassimak@cc.uoi.gr

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.

PMID: 12517366 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]