Differential diagnosis and treatment options of recurrent aphrhous ulcer: narrative literature review

Abstract

Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer (RAU) is a common lesion in the oral mucosa with varied etiology, clinically subdivided into minor, major, and herpetiform ulcers. Characterized by an ovoid shape, covered by a pseudomembrane and erythematous halo, its diagnosis is essential to distinguish it from other lesions, and treatment is necessary to address the injury and prevent recurrences. Thus, the present study aimed to analytically describe the differential diagnosis and treatment of RAU in the oral cavity. It was a descriptive, exploratory study characterized as a narrative literature review. Inclusion criteria were established as studies addressing this theme in English and Portuguese. The survey took place from August 2023 to January 2024, through electronic searches on PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, in addition to grey literature such as Google Scholar and secondary free searches. Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH) were crossed with the boolean operator: "differential diagnosis" AND "aphthous ulcer." RAU is characterized by round, superficial ulcers that may persist for days or months. Its diagnosis is based on the patient's history and the characteristics of the lesion. It is crucial to eliminate possible causes of oral ulcers to avoid confusion with other lesions, such as traumatic, immunomediated, or even carcinoma ulcers. Various therapies are employed in the management of RAU, such as corticosteroids, vitamin supplements, ozone therapy, and low-level laser. Therefore, understanding the history of lesions is fundamental for differentiation, and given the diversity of therapies, studies focusing on this aspect are essential.

Key words: Differential diagnosis, Aphthous ulcer, Treatment.