Insidious fatal perforation of palate: A diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is considered as a systemic triad of necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis of the upper and lower respiratory tracts (pulmonary vasculitis) and a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Few cases of a superficial form with only oral involvement are reported. The purpose of this article is to describe the steps in reaching a conclusive diagnosis in lesions involving the palate. Since in most cases the histopathological report will turn inconclusive, proper clinical evaluation and definitive diagnostic test like the estimation of cytoplasmic-antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody will be mandatory for obtaining a conclusive result.

Keywords

• antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies
• granulomatosis polyangiitis
• perforation of palate
• wegener's granulomatosis