Histopathology of oral lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus. A review of 25 cases.

In a study of 25 oral biopsy specimens of lesions of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus, a characteristic and diagnostic histopathological pattern was confirmed, which consisted of parakeratosis, hydropic degeneration of stratum germinativum, collagen degeneration and a lymphocytic infiltration in a perivascular orientation. It is suggested that more oral biopsies be used in the diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus because of the ease of oral mucosal biopsy technique and the absence of scarring and discomfort from oral biopsy lesions.