Angina bullosa haemorrhagica: a case report and a concise review

Gen Dent. 2004 Mar-Apr;52(2):162-4; quiz 165.

Abstract

Various differential diagnoses pertaining to angina bullosa haemorrhagica (ABH) have been reported in the dental literature; these differential diagnoses include mucous membrane pemphigoid, bullous pemphigoid, bullous lichen planus, epidermolysis bullosa, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA disease, and oral amyloidosis. ABH is characterized by a solitary blood blister in the palate and may worsen progressively, leading to multiple lesions in other areas. The bullae usually rupture spontaneously and the sites heal uneventfully. Possible etiological factors include trauma, long-term use of steroids, diabetes, and hereditary predilection. Pathological studies have yielded nonspecific findings and the underlying etiopathology remains ill-defined. This article describes a case of ABH following the use of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and presents a concise review of the literature pertaining to ABH and differential diagnoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / adverse effects
  • Blister / pathology*
  • Chlorhexidine / adverse effects
  • Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gingival Diseases / pathology*
  • Gingival Hemorrhage / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouthwashes / adverse effects
  • Palate / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Mouthwashes
  • chlorhexidine gluconate
  • Chlorhexidine