A clinical analysis of 58 chinese cases of pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue.

BACKGROUND

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) is a disorder in which the fungiform papillae of the tongue have abnormal coloration. However, Chinese-specific clinical data for PFPT are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of PFPT among the Chinese population.

METHODS

A survey was carried out using a clinical examination and a questionnaire on 14,346 first-time outpatients in our dermatology department, and 58 cases of PFPT were subsequently diagnosed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PFPT was 0.4% among dermatological outpatients. All patients had pin-sized, brownish fungiform papillae on the tip, lateral or dorsal parts of the tongue. Of the three subtypes, type I was the most common (87.93%). PFPT generally coexisted with Hori's nevus (48.28%), melasma (20.69%), hysteromyoma (24.14%) and breast cystic hyperplasia (20.69%).

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that PFPT is a relatively common disorder among Chinese outpatients, and it was presumed to be closely coupled with Hori's nevus, melasma and other disorders.