Ulcer, Aphthous

Cynthia Y. Ohata, MD and Chisalu Tessa Nchekwube, MD, MBA Reviewed 06/2019

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Self-limited, painful ulcerations of the nonkeratinized oral mucosa, which are often recurrent (1)
Synonyms: canker sores; aphthae; aphthous stomatitis
- Comes from aphth meaning “ulcer”...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is made by history and clinical presentation. Lab work is rarely (2)[A].

HISTORY

May experience prodrome of burning sensation of oral mucosa 2 to 48 hours prior to appearance of ulc...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Management is symptomatic. Goal is to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

MEDICATION

In general, the goals of treatment depend on the extent of ulceration and frequency of o...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Evaluation for infection, mucocutaneous or systemic disease, or malignancy should be pursued for nonhealing lesions or lesions with lymphadenopathy or unusual pre...

REFERENCES

Cui RZ, Bruce AJ, Rogers RSIII. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Clin Dermatol. 2016;34(4):475–481. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

Belenguer-Guallar I, Jiménez-Soriano Y, Claramunt-Loz...

ADDITIONAL READING

Lalla RV, Choquette LE, Feinn RS, et al. Multivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Dent Assoc. 2012;1...

CODES

ICD10

K12.0 Recurrent oral aphthae

ICD9

528.2 Oral aphthae

SNOMED

426965005 aphthous ulcer of mouth (disorder)
307772002 Minor oral aphthous ulceration (disorder)
196531008 Major aphthous ulceration ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Aphthous ulcers are the most common chronic disease of the oral cavity.
Most cases are mild, self-limited episodes.
Appropriate treatment should be aimed at symptom control and promotion...

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