Suppurative Stomatitis [Cheilitis Glandularis]: an underreported entity

Stomatitis and Cheilitis Glandularis are inflammatory conditions of the minor salivary glands with uncertain aetiology, uncommon in clinical practice. Local factors and systemic comorbidities associated with hyposalivation could contribute to the onset of the disease. The aim of this study is to describe retrospectively a case series of Stomatitis and Cheilitis Glandularis from two Oral Medicine and Pathology Departments. Also, a review of the clinical and epidemiological variables and a discussion of the diagnostic criteria is presented.

There were included cases of Stomatitis and Cheilitis Glandularis from two Oral Diagnosis Centres from Argentina and Brazil, according to Reiter et al criteria. Demographic and clinicopathological features were described. A concise review of current literature was performed discussing diagnostic criteria and possible etiological factors.

There were included six cases sequentially retrieved from the last ten years. The patients included were 4 men and 2 women with an average age of 65.33 years old. The majority of the included cases showed comorbidities or were treated with drugs associated with hyposalivation or a decrease in salivary flow. Clinically, firm nodules and pus discharge was observed in minor salivary glands. Actinic damage was a poorly associated factor in this series. Histopathology revealed sialoadenitis, oncocytic metaplasia with different degrees of periductal inflammation in all cases.

Stomatitis and Cheilitis Glandularis are challenging disorders of the oral cavity. Hyposalivation could be an early phenomenon in a multifactorial context. More studies are needed for a better understanding of these conditions.