Direct oral microscopy and its value in diagnosing mucosal lesions: a pilot study

Clinical examination of the oral mucosa often leads to an uncertain diagnosis, and a supplementary biopsy with a histopathologic examination of the lesion is necessary to establish a definite diagnosis. However, the site for the biopsy is a subjective choice that sometimes raises doubts about its representativeness. So far, no simple and reliable method is available for selecting the most appropriate area for biopsy.

In a prospective study, we performed direct oral microscopy (oral application of the colposcopy technique used in gynecology) in 35 patients with various clinical diagnoses, such as leukoplakia, oral lichenoid lesions, or suspected malignancy. First, the oral mucosa was examined with direct microscopy, and the most representative site, according to colposcopic criteria, was selected. Then, the mucosa was clinically inspected by an independent examiner. The best site for biopsy according to clinical criteria was noted, and any difference in biopsy sites was recorded. Biopsy specimens were taken from 2 of these sites.

Twenty-nine patients (83%) showed changes in the vascular picture on microscopy, according to the colposcopy criteria. In 14 patients (40%), the biopsy sites identified by direct oral microscopy showed more advanced histologic signs than those selected by routine clinical examination (0.01 < P

Direct oral microscopy of mucosal lesions seems to offer advantages in selecting more representative sites for biopsy than routine clinical examination alone.