Ann Dermatol.  2011 Nov;23(4):548-550.

Annular Plaques on the Tongue: What Is Your Diagnosis?

• Kayhan TC
• Bllac C
• Bllac DB
• Ecemls T
• Ermertcan

Abstract

Geographic tongue is an inflammatory disorder of the tongue characterized by asymptomatic erythematous patches with serpiginous borders. Candidiasis of the tongue may be confused with geographic tongue. A 63-year-old male patient with painful white annular lesions localized to the left side of his tongue is presented. He applied topical corticosteroid and antiinflammatory agents, but his lesions did not respond to those therapies. Using direct mycologic examination and culture, the patient was diagnosed with candidiasis. After systemic and topical antifungal therapy, clinical improvement was observed. With this case, the clinical forms of oral candidiasis were discussed, and it was suggested that the clinical presentation of mucosal candidiasis may vary according to the stage of infection and individual immunity.

Keyword

Annular; Candidiasis; Mucosal; Oral

MeSH Terms

Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Candidiasis
Candidiasis, Oral
Glossitis, Benign Migratory
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Tongue
Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Annular plaques on the tongue.

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  Fig. 2 Pseudohyphae and yeast cells (potassium hydroxide 15%).

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  Fig. 3 Candida albicans colonies on Sabouraud's dextrose agar plate.

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