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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
Published on: June 8, 2015
Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT)
Martine Karine Francine Docx1, Philippe Vandenberghe2, Paul Govaert3
1a Department of Paediatrics, Chronic Paediatric Diseases , Queen Paola Children's Hospital , Antwerp , Belgium.
Abstract:
A 12-year-old African girl presented with multiple, sharply bordered hyperpigmented patches predominantly on the dorsal, tip and lateral aspects of the tongue since 1 year (Figs 1 and 2). On clinical examination, we found an obese adolescent girl with a BMI: 26.5 kg/m(2) ( > P97) with acanthosis nigricans of the neck. No medications were taken. Vitamin B12, liver tests and kidney function were normal. There was a decreased serum iron, 25OH vitamin D and zinc. Hyperinsulinism and heterozygosity for HbS (32%) were detected. Menarche: 12 years. No other family members were known with this anomaly.
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