Geographic tongue (migrant glossitis) and psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of geographic tongue to psoriasis.

METHODS

We report a comparative study on two groups of patients: the first (20 patients) with cutaneous psoriasis and lesions of the oral mucosa similar to geographic tongue; the second (20 patients), with benign migratory glossitis only. Biopsy samples of the lingual mucosa were taken from both groups.

RESULTS

The histologic examination of oral biopsies from the first groups showed typical features of psoriasis. The second group showed the same features of psoriasis in 80% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical and histopathologic findings support the hypothesis that migrant glossitis can be considered an expression of oral psoriasis.