Persistent ulceration of the oral floor: a case of necrotizing sialometaplasia of the sublingual gland?

Introduction: Necrotizing sialometaplasia is an inflammatory, rare and benign pathology, affecting particularly minor salivary glands. Observations: A case of deep and persistent ulceration of the oral floor associated with sensitivity disorders is reported. Three biopsies were realized, each concluding to a nonspecific ulceration. Local treatments by triamcinolone injections and laser CO 2 were tested. After 18 months of follow-up, a partial regression of the lesion was observed and the patient did not have any sensitivity disorders. Comments: This ulceration was clinically evocative of malignant neoplasia, which was reversed by histology. Others causes of ulceration were excluded on clinical and biological arguments. By elimination, a diagnosis of necrotizing sialometaplasia of the sublingual gland was made. Conclusion: Only one case of necrotizing sialometaplasia of sublingual gland has already been published. The case described here is exceptional due to the low prevalence of the lesion and the chronic ulcer evolution.