Autofluorescence as a tool to detect oral lesions from systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease, causing chronic inflammation in various organs such as in skin, joints, and kidneys. Oral mucosa lesions occur in over 40% of patients, overall oral ulcers and among others, widespread non-specific erythema that can involve up 9%. Sometimes they manifest as a first sign of SLE. Autofluorescence, a non-invasive system based on the physiological presence of endogenous fluorochromes excited using 370-460 nm lights, abundant in neoplastic and pre-neoplastic tissues, has recently proven to be of great help in recognizing alterations of the oral mucosa. This paper describes a case of a 48-year-old female patient, previously diagnosed with SLE, in whom typical oral lesions, misdiagnosed as burning mouth syndrome, were intercepted with the aid of autofluorescence. This paper highlights the possibility of using this non-invasive system for the early interception of inflammatory oral lesions associated with severe systemic diseases.