[Glossitis rhombica mediana. A study of 4422 dermatologic patients]

Though known for a long time and by no means rare, median rhomboid glossitis (MRG) still gives rise to questions concerning its dignity and etiology. MRG was found in 54 out of 4,422 stomatologically investigated dermatological patients. The patient's ages ranged from 10 to 69 years, the sex ratio was 3:1 male to female. Candida albicans was found in 18 out of 22 MRG lesions examined mycologically. These findings, the constant location and the stationary course were interpreted as a secondary Candida albicans colonization on a dysembryogenetically determined locus minoris resistentiae. Dysembryogenetic, anatomic and microbial factors contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of MRG.