Atypical lymphohistiocytic infiltrate (pseudolymphoma) of the oral cavity

In the oral cavity, differentiation between reactive and neoplastic lymphoproliferative lesions can, at times, be very difficult. We report an unusual case in which immunohistochemical findings were necessary to determine that the lesion was reactive despite the original interpretation of malignant lymphoma. The relationship of this lesion to atypical histiocytic granuloma, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, and traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia is discussed and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are proposed. The value of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of extranodal lymphoproliferative lesions is emphasized.