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Leukoedema: ultrastructural and histochemical observations
Journal of Oral Pathology
|October 1, 1983
Summary
Leukodema involves intracellular edema due to cell damage, possibly from impaired mitochondria. Superficial cells show signs of aborted keratinization, indicating a degenerative process in buccal mucosa.
Area of Science:
- Oral Pathology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- Leukodema is a common oral mucosal condition.
- Its ultrastructural basis remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural features of leukoedema.
- To compare these features with normal buccal mucosa.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying leukoedema.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis of 12 leukoedema cases.
- Comparison with clinically normal buccal mucosa.
- Histochemical analysis to identify cellular components.
Main Results:
- Leukodema exhibits intracellular edema characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolation and abnormal mitochondria.
- Vacuoles contain granular material, not identified as glycogen by histochemistry.
- Superficial cells display features of aborted keratinization, including keratohyalin granules.
Conclusions:
- Cellular degeneration, potentially linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, causes leukoedema vacuolation.
- The superficial cell changes suggest an interrupted keratinization process.
- Leukodema represents a reversible cellular degeneration with aborted keratinization.