Painful Oral Ulcers

The following Case Challenge is provided in conjunction with the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

This 33-year old Caucasian female presents complaining of a history of recurrent oral ulcers since childhood. In the past these ulcers typically lasted approximately 7-10 days and recurred every few months. However, more recently she has developed more persistent areas of irritation and ulceration, which tend to come and go. The patient reports the most severe areas of involvement to be the buccal mucosa bilaterally and the lateral tongue. Although in the past her braces seemed to exacerbate her condition, she has not noted significant improvement despite recent removal of her braces by her orthodontist.

After you have finished reviewing the available diagnostic information, make the diagnosis.