Current Concepts In The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Oropharyngeal Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers And Aphthous-Like Lesions

This summary concerns itself with the latest concepts for the diagnostics and treatment of oropharyngeal aphthae and aphtoid lesions. These are based on the current "Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options of Aphthae and Aphtoid Lesions of the Oropharyngeal Mucous Membrane" S2k Guideline (Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) register number: 007-101, status: November 2016, valid until: November 2019). Aphthae are characteristic flat ulcerous lesions in the squamous epithelial mucous membranes. They are the most frequent inflammatory conditions to affect the oral mucous membrane. The aethiopathogenesis has not been conclusively clarified to date so that there is a need for further research. By way of a differential diagnosis, the recurring manifestation of a number of aphthae at the same time can also be caused by reactive changes, haematological causes, other stomatopathies, gastrointestinal syndromes, mucocutaneous diseases of the rheumatic spectrum, bullous and lichenoid dermatoses and malignant diseases. The therapeutic goal is to reduce the painfulness and the functional restrictions that affect the masticatory organ. The frequency of the manifestation and the degree of severity of the relapses should also be reduced at the same time. Use is made of both local measures and systemic therapy strategies but there are unfortunately only a few controlled studies on the treatment of aphthoid lesions, on the basis of which the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological substances and physical methods such as the use of laser can be proven.