Aim:The purpose of this study was the early detection of premalignant and malignant oral soft lesions by fluorescent light (VELscope).Materials and Methods:A total of 748 patients were evaluated through clinical and fluorescent light analysis of the entire oral cavity. Any lesion that was detected underwent a surgical excision biopsy as the golden standard for the detection of the lesion's histology; then a comparison was made between the results to assure the efficacy of the fluorescent light analysis outcome.Results:About 9.4% of the lesions detected were abnormal lesions and 83.09% had loss of fluorescent light effect. Based on the use of surgical biopsy, the machine had a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 96.3%. According to the statistical analysis, the P value was much lower than 0.05, so we can conclude that at 95% confidence level, there was significant agreement between VELscope results and biopsy results. Kappa coefficient value was approximately 0.5, which means that the strength of the agreement was medium.Conclusion:VELscope can be used as a clinical diagnostic aid in the detection of premalignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. In addition, it helps in the detection of the borders in both surgical biopsy and surgical excision.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the presence of hairy tongue and H. pylori infection in patients referring to their blood test based on the serum levels of anti-H pylori IgG antibodies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine, University of Damascus Dental School, between February 2021 and January 2022. The sample size of 40 patients (23 males, 17 females), whose ages ranged from 20–79 years with a mean age of 41.5 ± 12 years, was calculated using the G*power 3.1.3, with a statistical power of 80% and a significance level of 0.05. The hairy tongue index was assessed by a visual method based on observing the dorsum tongue appearance. Then, a blood test was performed to detect the presence of H. pylori by Immulite 2000 XPi. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software 22.0, Chi-square. Results: The prevalence of hairy tongue was higher among males (75%) as compared to females (25%) and was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.026). The hairy tongue lesions were found to be least in the 20–39 age group and most prevalent in the 40–59 age group, without statistically significant correlation. H. pylori infection was detected positive in 70% and negative in 30% of hairy tongue patients, compared to the control group, where the rates were 15% and 85%, respectively, with a statistically significant correlation between infection with H. pylori and hairy tongue (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that the hairy tongue might be considered an indicator of H. pylori infection.

No abstract

Aim: The term hairy tongue was first coined by Amatus Lusitanus in the year 1557 as self-renewing hairs on the tongue. It is characterized by the presence of elongated filiform papillae of the dorsum of the tongue, which gives a hairy appearance, depends on two components: elongated filiform papillae and discoloration of the dorsal tongue as the result of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The hair-like projections in hairy tongue are thought to develop from a lack of adequate desquamation on the dorsal tongue. This prevents the breakdown of keratin layers on the dorsal tongue leads to their accumulation, known as hyperkeratosis. This occurs on the tips of the filiform papillae and leads to their elongation to be a suitable environment for bacterial growth by trapping microscopic food particles and bacteria themselves to thrive on the fermentation of amino acids and produce porphyrins, resulting in a black or brown color.Materials and Methods: The study design was case - control sample, among patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry at Damascus University during the period from February 2021 to January 2022.Patients (n = 20). Individuals with hairy tongue were included in the study. Tongue examination was performed according to WHO clinically without biopsy, then data were collected through the attached questionnaire in both case and control groups. It included demographic information and complete history of the patients. Results: We found that the prevalence of hairy tongue increased with male gender, and was more common with fissured tongue 15%, we reported 70% of hairy tongue patients had the lesion in the posterior third of the tongue. There was a true statistically significant correlation between the hairy tongue and predisposing as 70% smoking, 80% poor oral hygiene, 20% use oxidizing mouthwashes, 45% xerostomia and 30% use antibiotics for a long time. Although we reported 90% of hairy tongue patients had no pain, but we recorded 35% had a metallic taste and tickling sensations, 25% had burning sensation, and 55% had halitosis. There was not real statistically significant correlation between the colour of the hairy tongue and gender but on the other hand we showed that 30% black hairy tongue patients were smokers, 45% brown hairy tongue patients drank large amount of tea and coffee, and 25% creamy hairy tongue patients used medications.Conclusion: To conclude, hairy tongue is an asymptomatic condition involving the posterior third of the tongue, which can be easily diagnosed by clinical examination and triggered by predisposing factors. A thorough detailed history is always necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis to investigate the risk factors for establishing the successful treatment of hairy tongue.