Decision making for total removal of erosive lesion in the palate associated with gastroesophageal reflux

Abstract

Objective: To report the clinical management of an inflammatory ulcerated lesion on the palate of a patient with gastrointestinal disorder. Case details: Patient, 48 years old, accompanied by his wife, attended the dental clinic of Nilton Lins University, reporting as the main complaint the presence of a wound on the palate with local burning that appeared in 1 month, increasing in size rapidly. The lesion appears unilaterally in the left posterior region of the hard palate, with an inflammatory characteristic, fibrous consistency and whitish color, indicative of local ischemia accompanied by burning and painful symptoms on palpation. Given the characteristics presented in the case, it was decided to perform an incisional biopsy of the infected tissue and part of the healthy tissue, with subsequent histopathological evaluation following the hypothesis of necrotizing sialometaplasia or mucoepidermoid carcinoma. After confirmation, the total removal of the pathological content was performed, showing success in the chosen procedure after 1 year of follow-up. Final considerations: The conduct of case proved resolute. It is interesting to point out that the investigation of related triggering factors is essential, considering the strong association between gastrointestinal disorders; chemical and/or traumatic events with the manifestation of this pathology, ruling out the hypothesis of malignant alteration.