Symptomatic benign migratory glossitis: report of two cases and literature review

Benign migratory glossitis (geographic tongue) is a common clinical finding in routine pediatric dentistry. The condition usually discovered on routine clinical examination, appearing as an asymptomatic, ulcer-like region on the dorsum of the tongue. The lesion may recur at different sites on the tongue, creating a migratory appearance, and in many cases, will resolve completely. The presentation of symptomatic geographic tongue in children is rare. This article presents two cases of symptomatic geographic tongue. Both children presented with a chief complaint of significant oral pain which was affecting daily activity, eating, and sleeping. Both patients presented with a classical clinical presentation of ulcer-like regions on the dorsum of the tongue in which the filiform papillae were denuded. Successful management was achieved with topical and systemic antihistamine. The clinician should be aware that this condition may be symptomatic in children.