Histiocytosis X: report of an oral soft tissue lesion without bony involvement

The case of a 65-year-old white man with painful oral soft tissue granulomatous lesions of histiocytosis X is reported. The clinical course and diagnostic and therapeutic measures are described. The manifestation of symptomatic oral soft lesions with no definable lesions of bone and the age of the patient are not consistent with the usual presentation of this disease, and thus emphasize its clinical variability. The rationale for the therapeutic regimen and the prognosis are reviewed.