Angina bullosa haemorrhagica: a case report and a concise review

Abstract

Various differential diagnoses pertaining to angina bullosa haemorrhagica (ABH) have been reported in the dental literature; these differential diagnoses include mucous membrane pemphigoid, bullous pemphigoid, bullous lichen planus, epidermolysis bullosa, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA disease, and oral amyloidosis. ABH is characterized by a solitary blood blister in the palate and may worsen progressively, leading to multiple lesions in other areas. The bullae usually rupture spontaneously and the sites heal uneventfully. Possible etiological factors include trauma, long-term use of steroids, diabetes, and hereditary predilection. Pathological studies have yielded nonspecific findings and the underlying etiopathology remains ill-defined. This article describes a case of ABH following the use of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and presents a concise review of the literature pertaining to ABH and differential diagnoses.