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Case Reports
. 2013 Dec 12:2013:bcr2013200786.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-200786.

Oral submucous fibrosis: a premalignant condition in a 14-year-old Indian girl

Anshula Deshpande  1 , Shital Kiran, Steffi Dhillon, Rachappa Mallikarjuna
Affiliations
Case Reports

Oral submucous fibrosis: a premalignant condition in a 14-year-old Indian girl

Anshula Deshpande et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

A 14-year-old Indian girl presented with difficulty in mouth opening and burning sensation while eating. On examination, blanching of the oral mucosa with diffuse white pigmented lesion of size 3.5 to 2 cm along with melanotic pigmentation was seen on the left buccal mucosa posteriorly. The patient was diagnosed with oral submucous fibrosis. A comprehensive treatment plan was made based on conservative management that included motivation and intense counselling of the patient and her parents so that she quits the habit of chewing areca nut and tobacco, along with systemic treatment of vitamin B complex supplements, antioxidants, multivitamins and oral physiotherapy. We present this case to highlight the difficulties faced by the clinical practitioners in providing treatment because of the taboos and myths associated with surgical treatment modality in rural population as well as to emphasise the menace of increasing consumption and availability of tobacco and areca nut to children.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Extraoral photograph of the 14-year-old girl.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Generalised dental stains can be seen on labial surfaces.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Generalised dental stains on palatal and occlusal surfaces of maxilla.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Generalised dental stains on lingual and occlusal surfaces of mandible.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Blanching of both sides of mucosa is seen. Diffuse white lesion and the melanotic pigmentation are visible on the left side of buccal mucosa where the patient places the areca nut mixed with tobacco quid.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Photograph showing the increased mouth opening after 1 month.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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