A Case of Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue / 대한피부과학회지

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue are characterized clinically by pigmentation confined to these papillae and histopathologically by melanophages in the lamina propriae. We report a case of pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue in a 24-year-old Korean woman who has a dark brown-colored pigmented lesion on the anterolateral fungiform papillae.

A Case of Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue / 대한피부과학회지

The fungiform papillae are generally described as being pink or red in colour. Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) are characterized clinically by pigmentation confined to these papillae and histopathologically by melanophages in the lamina propriae. PFPT appears to be relatively common among the black population, whereas this entity has rarely been reported in Asians. We report a case of PFPT in a 35-year-old Korean woman who had black dots, exclusively involved with fungiform papillae, on the anterior dorsolateral side of the tongue. The patient also had iron deficiency anemia. Histopathologic findings revealed an increase of melanophages in the upper dermis within the fungiform papillae.

Two Cases of Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue(PFPT) is a rare benign pigmentary disorder of the tongue. In dark-skinned individuals, PFPT appears to be relatively common, whereas this entity is seldom reported in fair-skinned people and Asians. Although the relevance to systemic conditions has been suggested in several reported cases, the etiology and pathogenesis of this entity are not yet clearly defined. We report two cases of PFPT in young Korean females. Clinically both patients presented with asymptomatic pigmentary lesions confined to fungiform papillae of the tongue, which had been detected several months ago. Histopathologic findings revealed increased melanophages in the subepidermal area within the fungiform papillae.

A Case of Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue / 대한피부과학회지

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue is a rare disorder in Korea. It is characterized clinically by pigmentation confined to the fungiform papillae and histopathologically by the presence of melanophages in the upper dermis. We report a case of pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue in a 21-year-old woman who had brown to violaceous dots on the fungiform papillae and pigmented patches on the right lateral dorsum of the tongue. Histological findings showed increased melanophages in the upper dermis.