Oral melanoacanthoma: a case report, a review of the literature, and a new treatment option.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.

OBJECTIVES: Oral melanoacanthoma is a rare condition that presents as a pigmented, painful lesion, most commonly on the buccal mucosa. Argon plasma coagulation is a new treatment option for benign oral lesions and is hypothesized to be efficacious for this rare mucosal disorder. METHODS: Treatment of a case and a review of the English-language literature were performed. RESULTS: One patient received a diagnosis of oral melanoacanthoma, and argon plasma coagulation treatment resulted in ablation of the lesion with excellent mucosal healing. A review of the literature demonstrated that this lesion is most commonly associated with black (90.9%), adult female (69.7%) patients and is most commonly located on the buccal mucosa (64.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Oral melanoacanthoma is a rare, benign mucosal lesion that may require surgical intervention for symptomatic relief. Argon plasma coagulation is a relatively safe and effective means of treating this lesion. Argon plasma coagulation treatment may be expanded to include other benign, superficial lesions of the oral mucosa.

PMID: 16240929 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]