Diagnostic Information

Additional Clinical History

Review of the patient’s medical history reveals he had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 16 years previously. Two weeks ago he completed a course of prednisone prescribed to manage an exacerbation of Crohn’s disease. His current medications are dicyclomine hydrochloride, an anticholinergic agent, and mesalamine, an antiinflammatory agent, both for the management of this gastrointestinal disease. He also takes calcium and folic acid supplements.

Review of the patient’s dental history reveals he has worn a maxillary complete denture and a mandibular complete overdenture for 3 years. He has complained frequently of localized areas of soreness; however, in the past these have been relieved by minor denture adjustments.

Clinical Findings

Head and neck examination reveals no visible extraoral abnormalities and no palpable lymphadenopathy. Intraoral examination reveals moderate to severe erythema of the palatal and alveolar mucosa. (Figures 1, 2, and 3) The dorsal tongue exhibits moderate erythema with atrophy of the filiform papillae. (Figure 4) The intraoral soft tissues appear dry and manipulation of the major salivary glands reveals minimal salivary flow.

Figure 1. Erythematous palatal mucosa

Figure 2. Erythematous maxillary alveolar mucosa

Figure 3. Erythematous mandibluar alveolar mucosa

Figure 4. Erythema and atrophy of fillform papillae of the dorsal tongue

Photomicrographs

A cytologic preparation stained with periodic acid-Schiff stain reveals numerous fungal hyphae and occasional ovoid yeast forms. (Figure 5)

Figure 5.

Laboratory Studies

The patient reports he has recently undergone a complete physical examination including blood studies.