Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE): Case report of a 63-year-old male patient with a rare self-healing oral mucosal lesion

Traumatic Ulcerative Granuloma with Stromal Eosinophilia (TUGSE)/Riga Fede disease is a rare mucosal and submucosal benign reactive inflammatory process, usually involving the tongue.

Trauma is believed to be a major factor amongst the multiple pathogenic mechanisms that have been hypothesized in TUGSE. The lesion presents as an isolated indurated or even ulcerated mass, which may mimic, clinically a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

We herein report a case of TUGSE in a 63-year-old male referred by his treating physician for high suspicion of tongue malignancy. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of TUGSE, without any evidence of a neoplasic, infectious or hematologic process.

TUGSE occurs in patients with an age range of 41–60 years. Sufficiently deep biopsies with comprehensive immunohistochemical and molecular analyses are mandatory to confirm the benign nature of the lesion and to, definitely, rule out malignancy.

This report highlights the need for adequate histological differential diagnosis to avoid inappropriate heavy treatments in a benign condition.