Quantitative distribution of inflammatory cells in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Histologic quantitation of leukocytes in biopsies of recurrent aphthous ulcers revealed at least two morphologically-distinct inflammatory infiltrates. Lymphocytes were found consistently in pre-ulcerative lesions and in the expanding margins of the developing ulcer. In contrast, polymorphonuclear leukocytes predominated only in areas of frank ulceration.