Hairy Leukoplakia: Clinical Features, Histopathology, and Differential Diagnosis

Hairy Leukoplakia: Clinical Features, Histopathology, and Differential Diagnosis

Question. Write notes on hairy leukoplakia.

Answer. Hairy leukoplakia is HIV associated mucosal disorder,which often involves lateral and ventral surfaces of tongue.

Homosexual man with HIV infection may develop white patchy lesion in oral cavity.

“Understanding the role of hairy leukoplakia in oral health: Q&A explained”

Clinical Features

• Clinically hairy leukoplakia occurs more frequently on the lateral border of the tongue however it can also occur on flor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, etc.
• The lesion often appears as white patch and is characterized by an irregular surface, exhibiting numerous linear vertical folds or projections, sometimes so marked to as resemble “Hairs”.
• The lesions are always colonized by Candida albicans.
  Hairy leukoplakia probably occurs as an opportunistic infection caused by Epstein­Barr virus.
• Hairy leukoplakias are asymptomatic lesions and whenever they occur they occur on buccal mucosa, the lesions are smooth and homogeneous with straitened margin.

“Importance of studying hairy leukoplakia for better diagnostic outcomes: Questions explained”

Histopathology

• A very characteristic fiding in hairy leukoplakia is presence of subcorneal upper spinous layer zone made up of cytopathologically altered keratinocytes.
• Parakeratin layer is thick often colonized by candidal hyphae.
• The submucosa does not exhibit many inflammatory cell infitrate.

Differential Diagnosis

• Lichen planus
• Verrucous leukoplakia
• Chronic tongue biting habits.

“Common challenges in diagnosing hairy leukoplakia effectively: FAQs provided”

“Role of Epstein-Barr virus in causing hairy leukoplakia: Questions answered”