Differential diagnosis of oral mucosal petechial hemorrhages.

Petechiae are pinpoint hemorrhages that occur in subcutaneous or submucosal tissues in a wide variety of conditions. Because of their diversity, the differential diagnosis of oral mucosal petechial hemorrhages is complex. The authors report a case of palatal petechial hemorrhages secondary to episodes of intense vomiting. A review of the many disorders underlying petechial hemorrhages is based on etiologic factors including trauma, platelet abnormalities, clotting factor deficiencies, and defects in vascular integrity.