Blue Nevus of the Hard Palate in a 12-Year Old Male Patient: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

Cameron Y S Lee, Kristin L Lee, Kirk Y Hirata and David C Ching

Oral Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery, Aiea, HI Professor of Surgery, Temple University School of Dentistry. Philadelphia, USA
Third Year Dental Student. Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, USA
Department of Pathology. The Queen's Medical Center. Honolulu, HI, Assistant Professor of Pathology. University of Hawaii. John A. Burns School of Medicine, USA
Private Practice in Pediatric Dentistry. Pearl City, USA

^*Correspondance to: Cameron Y. S. Lee 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1399

Abstract

Background and Overview: Nevi are either congenital or developmental pigmented malformations rarely found in the oral cavity. Approximately 30% of reported cases in this anatomical region are of the blue type, a histological variant with the potential for malignant transformation. There is no consensus in the literature regarding biopsy of pigmented lesions with malignant potential. In children, the intraoral blue nevus is rare. This case report describes the clinical features of a blue nevus in a 12- year old Asian male on the right hard palate of the maxilla. A differential diagnosis, rationale for excisional biopsy of this oral lesion and review of the literature are presented. The goal of this case report is to create awareness that such a rare pigmented lesion in the oral cavity can also occur in children.Case Description: This case report describes the clinical presentation of a 12-year old Asian male who presented with a dark blue-black pigmented lesion on the right hard palate of the maxilla. Because of the fear that the pigmented lesion could represent a malignancy, excisional biopsy for histopathologic diagnosis was performed.Practical Implications: Although blue nevi are considered rare in the oral cavity, especially in children it is important to differentiate these lesions from the malignant blue nevus or melanoma. To obtain a definitive diagnosis of any suspicious pigmented lesion, excisional biopsy is recommended due to the potential for malignant transformation.

Keywords

Blue nevus; Rare; Child; Differential diagnosis; Biopsy

Cite the article

Lee CYS, Lee KL, Hirata KY, Ching DC. Blue Nevus of the Hard Palate in a 12- Year Old Male Patient: A Case Report with Review of the Literature. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1399.