A Case of Non-hereditary White Sponge Nevus in the Oral Cavity Successfully Treated with Tetracycline Ointment and Oral Multivitamins

Abstract

White spongiform nevus is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder first reported by Cannon in 1935. It is a rare disease in which the oral mucosa thickens into an edematous and spongy state and is often accompanied by difficult to recognize subjective symptoms. We report a case of multiple non-hereditary white cavernous nevi in the oral mucosa. The subject was a 22-year-old man with a chief complaint of white lesions in his oral cavity. Examination revealed thick edematous and sponge-like white lesions on the bilateral buccal mucosa, upper and lower lip mucosa, and bilateral lingual margins. There was no history of similar lesions in his family or among his relatives. We diagnosed the case as non-hereditary white sponge nevus, based on clinical and histopathological findings. Although difficult to treat, the lesions disappeared with tetracycline ointment application and oral intake of multiple vitamin supplements. No recurrence of the lesion was observed thereafter.

Keywords: non-hereditary; oral mucosa; white sponge nevus.