Oral cysticercosis--report of six cases.

BACKGROUND

Cysticercosis cellulosae rarely involves the oral region in humans.

METHODS

Six cases of oral cysticercosis were diagnosed, three each in lips and buccal mucosa. Diagnosis was made by characteristic gross and histopathologic appearances.

RESULTS

Of 146 cases of cysticercosis, 6 (4.1%) were of the oral cavity. All 6 cases were initially seen with painless swellings. Clinical differential diagnosis ranged from retention cyst, lipoma, fibroma, neurofibroma, and angular stomatitis. Histopathologic examination revealed cysticercus larvae.

CONCLUSIONS

The oral cavity is a rare site of involvement by cysticercosis, even in an endemic area. Histopathologic findings of the excised cyst are diagnostic of the lesion.