A denture complication: sarcoid-like foreign body granulomas of the tongue

Sarcoidosis in the oral cavity occurs extremely rare (there have been described only 47 cases in the literature) and is almost always doubtful. We describe a protruding painful nodule (1 cm) on the apex of the tongue of a 65-year-old female, adjacent to the site of irritation of a new denture. Histologically it was confluent mass of non-caseous granulomas, rich in Langhans' cells. Silver impregnation showed them stamped out as in sarcoidosis. Corticosteroids proved to be ineffective and the therapy was discontinued because of the concomitant diabetes. Six months later, similar nodules reappeared on the same place. When examined in polarized light these giant cells were found to be of the foreign body type, each of them containing phagotized particles displaying bright yellow and dark green colour. We assume a sarcoid-like reaction of traumatic origin. There was no recurrence of the condition after removal of the denture.