White sponge nevus in a 14-year-old female: case report with exfoliative cytology and oral biopsy findings

Bruno Teixeira Gonçalves Rodrigues; Fábio Ramoa Pires; Teresa Cristina Ribeiro Bartholomeu dos Santos; Henrique Martins da Silveira

doi:10.5327/2525-5711.369

Authors

Bruno Teixeira Gonçalves Rodrigues State University of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7678-2588
Fábio Ramoa Pires State University of Rio de Janeiro, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Therapeutics, Oral Pathology – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0317-8878
Teresa Cristina Ribeiro Bartholomeu dos Santos State University of Rio de Janeiro, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Therapeutics, Oral Pathology – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1256-5127
Henrique Martins da Silveira State University of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0882-9909

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/2525-5711.369

Keywords:

Oral mucosa, white lesions, white sponge nevus, cytology

Abstract

White Sponge Nevus (WSN) is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis, affecting approximately 1 in 200,000 individuals. Clinically, WSN presents as asymptomatic, diffuse white plaques that are thickened and corrugated, with most lesions appearing in early childhood. Diagnosis of WSN is confirmed through microscopic examination following an oral biopsy. However, exfoliative cytology is also an effective diagnostic tool, offering a simple and non-invasive alternative that may be more acceptable for younger patients Herein, we report a case of a 14-year-old female presenting asymptomatic, bilateral, diffuse, non-removable white plaques with a corrugated surface on the buccal and alveolar mucosa. The clinical diagnosis was WSN, and both an incisional biopsy and exfoliative cytology were performed under local anesthesia. The cytological and histological features confirmed the diagnosis of WSN and the patient was oriented about the condition and scheduled for regular follow-up. Therefore, clinicians should consider using exfoliative cytology when assessing suspected cases of WSN.

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