[Keratotic lesions of the oral cavity. Notes on histopathologic differential diagnosis in leukoplakia, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus. Cases investigation].

A series of 24 white mouth lesions variously diagnosed as leukoplakia, lichen planus and discord lupus erythematosus is examined. A number of histological parameters were investigated using samples stained with haematoxylin-eosin and orcein and by Wohlgemulh's test. The 24 cases were also assessed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) using the standard techniques. The aim of the study was to discover which of the histological and DIF findings were most helpful for diagnosis. The results confirm the view that histological diagnosis is only possible in some cases and that DIF helps to clarify histologically uncertain ones. Even so, clinical examination of the patient remains essential in order to eliminate the uncertainty created by the histological findings. It therefore follows that close collaboration between clinician and pathologist is essential.