Detection of Abnormal Changes on the Dorsal Tongue Surface Using Deep Learning.

Background and Objective: The tongue mucosa often changes due to various local and systemic diseases or conditions. This study aimed to investigate whether deep learning can help detect abnormal regions on the dorsal tongue surface in patients and healthy adults. Materials and Methods: The study collected 175 clinical photographic images of the dorsal tongue surface, which were divided into 7782 cropped images classified into normal, abnormal, and non-tongue regions and trained using the VGG16 deep learning model. The 80 photographic images of the entire dorsal tongue surface were used for the segmentation of abnormal regions using point mapping segmentation. Results: The F1-scores of the abnormal and normal classes were 0.960 (precision: 0.935, recall: 0.986) and 0.968 (precision: 0.987, recall: 0.950), respectively, in the prediction of the VGG16 model. As a result of evaluation using point mapping segmentation, the average F1-scores were 0.727 (precision: 0.717, recall: 0.737) and 0.645 (precision: 0.650, recall: 0.641), the average intersection of union was 0.695 and 0.590, and the average precision was 0.940 and 0.890, respectively, for abnormal and normal classes. Conclusions: The deep learning algorithm used in this study can accurately determine abnormal areas on the dorsal tongue surface, which can assist in diagnosing specific diseases or conditions of the tongue mucosa.

Enfrentamiento de lesiones de cavidad oral: clasificación y diagnóstico diferencial / Assessment of oral cavity lesions: classification and differential diagnosis

Las lesiones de la cavidad oral corresponden a un hallazgo frecuente y muchas veces difíciles de diagnosticar. Su correcto reconocimiento podría ser clave en detectar patologías que podrían cambiar el pronóstico del paciente. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir una clasificación de las lesiones de la cavidad oral que permita ayudar al diagnóstico en la práctica clínica. Para esto, se detallan y se describen las lesiones, orientando al diagnóstico y a la necesidad de biopsiar. Para simplificar la orientación diagnóstica, las lesiones se clasifican en 2 grandes grupos: tumorales y no tumorales. Las lesiones no tumorales se subdividen en lesiones de la mucosa oral y lesiones de la lengua.

Lesions of the oral cavity are frequent and often difficult to diagnose. However, correct recognition could change the patient's prognosis. This review aims to describe a classification of oral mucosa lesions, to help the diagnosis in clinical practice. The lesions are described for this, guiding the diagnosis and the need for biopsy. To simplify the diagnostic orientation, the lesions are classified into two groups: tumor and non-tumor lesions. Non-tumor lesions are subdivided into lesions of the oral mucosa and lesions of the tongue.

Abordagem interdisciplinar no tratamento da macroglossia na síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann: relato de caso / Interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of macroglossia in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome: case report

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a abordagem interdisciplinar no manejo da macroglossia em um caso de paciente com síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann, no período de dez anos. O acompanhamento iniciou pela equipe de Cirurgia Bucomaxilofacial, seguido da Fonoaudiologia, em função de dificuldades alimentares. Após avaliação clínica e instrumental, aos 8 meses de idade, iniciou-se a intervenção fonoaudiológica com foco na disfagia orofaríngea e na terapia miofuncional orofacial. Foi verificado, com 1 ano e 11 meses, ausência de sinais de alteração de deglutição em fase faríngea e melhora na postura de lábios e língua. Aos 3 anos, foram iniciados estímulos para retirada dos hábitos orais e o treino da função mastigatória. O tratamento ortodôntico para correção de mordida aberta anterior e mordida cruzada posterior unilateral iniciou-se aos 6 anos. Aos 7 anos e 5 meses de idade, constatou-se estabilidade do modo respiratório nasal e adequação da postura de repouso de lábios e língua. Aos 9 anos, em função de recidiva das alterações oclusais, optou-se pela redução cirúrgica da língua seguida de terapia miofuncional orofacial, retomada aos 9 anos e 3 meses. O resultado foi a correção da postura da língua na deglutição e a adequação da fala. A associação dos tratamentos, envolvendo Fonoaudiologia, Ortodontia e Cirurgia Bucomaxilofacial foi considerada efetiva no manejo da macroglossia, resultando na adequação e equilíbrio das funções orofaciais.

ABSTRACT This study aims to report the interdisciplinary management of macroglossia in a Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome patient during ten years. Clinical follow-up started by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team, followed by Speech Therapy due to feeding difficulties. After clinical and instrumental evaluation, at 8 months old, the speech therapy intervention was indicated, focusing on oropharyngeal dysphagia and orofacial myofunctional therapy. At 1 year and 11 months, no signs of swallowing alteration in the pharyngeal phase and improvement in the posture of the lips and tongue were found. At the age of 3, stimulation to remove oral habits and train masticatory function were initiated. Orthodontic treatment to correct anterior open bite and unilateral posterior crossbite started at age 6. At 7 years and 5 months, there was stability in the nasal breathing mode and adequacy of resting posture of lips and tongue. At the age of 9, due to relapse of the occlusal alterations, surgical reduction of the tongue was indicated, followed by orofacial myofunctional therapy, restarted at the age of 9 years and 3 months. The result was the correction of the posture of the tongue during swallowing and speech adequacy. The association of treatments involving Speech Therapy, Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was considered effective in the management of the macroglossia. It resulted in the adequacy and equilibrium of orofacial functions.

Tongue Lesions as an Oral Diagnostic Challenge for a Primary Care Physician- A Clinical Case series.

Tongue acts as a mirror of our body. Diagnosis of tongue lesions is challenging to primary physicians as they might be the first sign or may be a part of underlying systemic diseases. Knowledge on the lesions of tongue is necessary for oral and overall health planning and education. Hence, this article illustrates a clinical case series of tongue lesions among a rural population in south Chennai, thus imparting a higher awareness of the specific tongue pathology-related etiology and management to increase the awareness on thorough oral screening including detailed assessment of tongue and provide a holistic care to patients to improve the Oral health related and Overall quality of life of patients (OHRQOL/QOL).

Tongue Hyperpigmentation Associated with Temozolomide as a Single Agent: Case Report.

Hyperpigmentation of the tongue has been associated with chemotherapy, specifically cytotoxic drugs, but the exact pathophysiological mechanism is still not well understood. We describe a 37-year-old black woman that presented with tongue hyperpigmentation one week after the initiation of chemotherapy with temozolomide as a single agent. No cases of tongue hyperpigmentation associated with temozolomide as a single agent have been reported before. The diagnosis of drug associated pigmentary changes is based on the confirmation the onset of the clinical observations shortly after the initiation of the chemotherapy agent. The tongue hyperpigmentation is usually self-limited. This case constitutes a challenge for healthcare professionals and patients and emphasizes the importance of documenting these cases in order to guide healthcare professionals in managing the expectations of the patients and the potential adverse effects associated with certain drugs.

A hiperpigmentação da língua tem sido associada a quimioterapia, especificamente a fármacos citotóxicos, mas o mecanismo fisiopatológico exato não é conhecido. Apresentamos o caso clínico de uma mulher de raça negra, de 37 anos que apresentou hiperpigmentação da língua uma semana após o início da quimioterapia com temozolomida em monoterapia. Nenhum caso de hiperpigmentação da língua associada à temozolomida em monoterapia foi antes relatado. O diagnóstico de alterações pigmentares associadas ao medicamento é baseado na correlação temporal do início dos achados clínicos com o início do agente quimioterápico. A hiperpigmentação da língua geralmente é autolimitada. Este caso constitui um desafio para os profissionais de saúde e para os doentes e enfatiza a importância de documentar estes casos, a fim de orientar os profissionais de saúde na gestão das expectativas dos doentes e dos potenciais efeitos adversos associados a determinados fármacos.

Tumor miofibroblástico de lengua / Myofibroblastic tongue tumour

El tumor miofibroblástico inflamatorio (TMI) es un tumor del estroma submucoso raro cuya presentación más frecuente es en el pulmón. Se trata de un tumor heterogéneo, formado por células fusiformes, inflamatorias y miofibroblastos, que por lo general es benigno, pero puede producir invasión local, recidiva y transformación maligna. Presentamos un paciente joven con una neoplasia en la lengua de aspecto invasivo e infiltrante que resultó ser un tumor miofibroblástico, pero que causó gran preocupación por su rápido crecimiento.(AU)

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour is a rare submucosal stromal tumour whose most common presentation is in the lung. This is a heterogeneous tumour, comprised of spindle cells, inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts, which is generally benign. However, it can cause local invasion, recurrence and malignant transformation. We report a young patient with an invasive and infiltrating tumour on the tongue that turned out to be a myofibroblastic tumour but caused major concern due to its rapid growth.(AU)

Tongue stretching: technique and clinical proposal.

OBJECTIVES: The tongue is an organ with multiple functions, from sucking to phonation, from swallowing to postural control and equilibrium. An incorrect position or mechanics of the tongue can causes sucking problems in the newborn or atypical swallowing in the adult, with repercussions on the position of the head and neck, up to influencing upright posture and other problems. Tongue dysfunctions are quite frequent (10-15%) in the population. For the manual therapist, this frequency indicates one to two subjects every 30 patients. Exercises have been proposed to improve the tone and strength of the swallowing muscles but the results are not so clear in the literature. The aim of this study is to describe and provide a tongue muscle normalization technique that helps the manual therapist in the treatment of problems related to it. METHODS: The literature has been investigated through pubmed, Google scholar of the last 10 years, the keywords used and combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR, are: "tongue, tongue habits, tongue diseases, taste disorder, neck pain, posture, postural balance, atypical swallowing, muscle stretching exercise, tissue expansion, soft tissue therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment". RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The technique is possible to be executed even in a sitting position, in the case the patient is unable to assume a supine position, the subject should provides immediate feedback that allows the therapist to understand if the technique has been correctly executed. The simplicity of execution and application of the technique makes it a possible and immediate therapeutic tool in the clinical setting.

[A case of oncocytic carcinoma at the base of the tongue with cervical lymph node metastasis and literature review].

Oncocytic carcinoma of tongue is extremely rare. This paper reports a case of malignant transformation from oncocytic adenoma to oncocytic carcinoma. A 29-year-old man complained of pharyngeal bleeding and swallowing obstruction. The tumor at the base of the tongue was surgically removed and the pathological diagnosis was oncocytic adenoma. After 5 years, the patient found a tumor of the right neck and felt pharyngeal bleeding and swallowing obstruction again. The next year, he was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and was diagnosed as oncocytic carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis. The patient showed no sign of recurrence until 30 months after the second operation, when tumor of tongue was detected by electronic laryngoscope. Surgery, chemotherapy and radioactive seed implantation were adopted again. Up to now, the follow-up data showed no evidence of recurrence.

A Case Report of a Lingual Cyst Lined by Respiratory Epithelium in a Child.

The lingual cyst lined by respiratory epithelium is a rare pathology. It probably appears from the default of undifferentiated cells of the foregut during embryonic growth. This pathology is seen more often in males and children; however, only 5 patients younger than 4 years old have been reported. The pathophysiology and the management of this cyst were described in a 4-year-old girl. She presented with a soft mass on the dorsum of the tongue covered by normal mucosa, which existed since her birth, causing difficulty in eating, breathing, and talking. The magnetic resonance described a hyperintense image with an anteroposterior diameter of 27 mm, craniocaudal of 19 mm, and transversal of 26 mm in the midline groove of the tongue; the scintigraphy showed normality. The enucleation of the lesion was performed, eradicating the capsule of the cyst and obtaining a complete cleavage. The histopathologic examination defined a cyst lined predominantly by respiratory epithelium. Unlike in other cases, in this case their cystic lining and capsular constituents were contemplated considering the current histological recommendations. It is relevant to differentiate this pathology from other cysts with similar histological findings.

Rapidly Growing Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue.

The tongue can be a guide for different normal findings/variants, pathological lesions, or signs for systemic diseases. And oral cancer can be among the differentials, which can be detected early by a thorough oral exam. The early detection of oral cancer is particularly important, as the stage of oral cancer at the time of the diagnosis is the most critical factor determining the five-year survival. We present a case of a high-risk patient for oral cancers presented with a rapidly growing tongue lesion over six months that was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue on the biopsy. The case highlights an alarming rapid growth nature of oral cancers and alerts the clinicians of the importance of the physical exam as a cost-effective and potentially life-saving measure against oral cancers. It also demonstrates a brief review of risk factors and high-risk features of oral cancers.

Relationship Between Glycemic Control and Coated Tongue in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Xerostomia

Abstract Objective: To examine the relationship between the level of glycemic control and coated tongue in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with xerostomia. Material and Methods: This study was an analytical survey and involved 64 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, aged between 17 to 65 years old with 34 males and 30 females. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was determined from the patient's medical records. The level of glycemic control was obtained from the patient's last blood sugar examination. Xerostomia was diagnosed with a questionnaire, while coated tongue diagnosis based on clinical features and the severity of coated tongue was assessed using the Kojima index Results: There was a significant relationship between the level of glycemic control and coated tongue (p=0.0026) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with xerostomia. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the level of glycemic control and the severity of the coated tongue (p=0.001). Specifically, poor glycemic control was associated with a higher occurrence of the coated tongue as well as more severe tongue coating Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the level of glycemic control in and coated tongue in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with xerostomia. Therefore, diabetes mellitus patients should control their level of glycemic control to prevent the oral complication of the disease.

Benign symmetric lipomatosis with lingual involvement: Case report and literature review.

Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (BSL) is a rare disorder characterized by diffuse, multiple, symmetric and non-encapsulated fat masses generally localized in the face, neck and upper trunk. An uncommon case of lingual affliction in BSL, presented with macroglossia, sleep apnea, dysphagia and dysartria is described. Bilateral partial glossectomy was performed, with an improvement in initial symptoms one year after surgery. Only seven other BSL cases with lingual involvement have been reported in the literature. This case report and literature review highlights that BSL with lingual affliction is extremely rare, almost exclusive for BSL Type I and affects predominantly middle-aged males from Mediterranean countries. Surgical treatment with unilateral or bilateral partial glossectomy usually restores normal tongue function, but most be accompanied with a postoperative follow up to assure that recurrence does not occur.

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the tongue: a case report / Histiocitoma fibroso benigno em língua: relato de caso

The fibrous histiocytoma is a soft tissue neoplasm that affects the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue, rarely is found in the oral cavity and perioral regions, and is originated from the proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes. The objective of this paper is to report a case of Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma in a 30-year-old male patient, complaining of a painless nodule in the tongue for about six months. With diagnostic clinical hypotheses of Fibrous Hyperplasia, Neurofibroma, Traumatic Neuroma, Fibrous Histiocytoma, Granular Cell Tumor or Ectomesenchymal Chondromyxoid Tumor a excisional biopsy was performed. The histopathological examination revealed a non-encapsulated proliferation of spindle cells with some giant multinucleated cells in the periphery of the lesion. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed, staining only for vimentin in the spindle cells and for CD68 in the multinucleated giant cells. According to these characteristics, the final diagnosis was Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma. The correct diagnosis of spindle shaped cell neoplasia must be performed with the aid of histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry, mainly because the morphological similarities with other benign and malignant lesions. (AU)

O Histiocitoma Fibroso é uma neoplasia de partes moles que acomete a derme e o tecido subcutâneo, raramente é encontrado na cavidade oral e regiões periorais, e tem origem a partir da proliferação de fibroblastos ou histiócitos. O objetivo deste artigo é relatar um caso de Histiocitoma Fibroso Benigno em um paciente masculino, 30 anos de idade, com um nódulo indolor, bem delimitado, com duração de cerca de seis meses, localizado no dorso anterior da língua. Com as hipóteses clínicas diagnósticas de Hiperplasia Fibrosa, Neurofibroma, Neuroma Traumático, Histiocitoma Fibroso, Tumor de Células Granulares e Tumor Condromixoide Ectomesenquimal uma biópsia foi realizada sob anestesia local e a lesão foi fixada em formol a 10% e enviada para análise histopatológica. O exame histopatológico revelou uma proliferação não-encapsulada de células fusiformes com algumas células gigantes multinucleadas na periferia da lesão. A marcação imunohistoquímica foi positiva para CD68 nas células gigantes multinucleadas e para vimentina nas células fusiformes. O diagnóstico final foi de Histiocitoma Fibroso Benigno. Para um diagnóstico correto, este deve ser feito correlacionando características clínicas, análise histopatológica e imunohistoquímica devido à similaridade microscópica do Histiocitoma Fibroso com outras lesões com aspecto fusocelular, assim como similaridade clínica com outras lesões benignas e malignas.(AU)

Efficacy of sniffing position in alleviating glossoptosis during emergence from anesthesia in children / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of sniffing position in alleviating glossoptosis during the emergence from anesthesia in children. Methods Two hundred pediatric patients who developed glos?soptosis during the emergence from anesthesia, aged 2-8 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠ or Ⅱ, were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=50 each) using a random number table:head extension position group ( group A ) , head tilted position group ( group B ) , oropharyngeal airway group ( group C) and sniffing position group ( group D) . Alleviation of glossoptosis, and occurrence of la?ryngospasm, agitation, vomiting and oral hemorrhage were recorded. Alleviation rate was calculated. Re?sults Compared with group A, the alleviation rate was significantly increased in C and D groups, the alle?viation rate was decreased in group B, and the incidence of laryngospasm, agitation and oral hemorrhage was increased in group C ( P<0?05 ) . Conclusion Sniffing position can effectively alleviate glossoptosis during the emergence from anesthesia in children with good safety.

Cisticercose em lingua: relato de caso / Cysticercosis in stock: case report

A cisticercose é uma doença causada pelo parasitismo da larva da tênia do porco (Cysticercus cellulosae) em tecidos humanos. É mais comum no cérebro, tecido subcutâneo, músculos e olhos. Relatamos aqui uma apresentação rara desta doença na margem lateral esquerda da língua, com diagnóstico histopatológico em biópsia excisional e retirada total da lesão. A criança acometida tinha 7 anos de idade, era do sexo masculino e previamente hígida...

Tongue cysticercosis: Case reportCysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larva (Cysticercus cellulosae) of pork tapeworm. Itis more common in the brain, subcutaneous tissue, muscles and eyes. We report a rare presentation ofthis disease, affecting a previously healthy 7-year-old boy...

Papilite lingual transitória ? relato de caso / Transient lingual papillitis ? case report

com essa afecção.Descrição do caso: Um homem de 34 anos apresentava desde a infância surtos de lesões papulosas dolorosas na língua. O exame anatomopatológico de uma das lesões demonstrou papilite crônica.Conclusões: Papilite lingual transitória é uma doença inflamatória dolorosa das papilas fungiformes, que tem seu início na infância e evolui em surtos, podendo ser acompanhada de dor ou desconforto. Embora seja frequente, é um distúrbio pouco estudado.

Aims: To describe a case of transient lingual papillitis in order to familiarize health professionals with this condition.Case description: A man of 34 years of age had since childhood bouts of painful papular lesions on the tongue. The anatomopathological examination of one lesion showed chronic papillitis.Conclusions: Transient lingual papillitis is a painful inflammatory disease of the fungiform papillae, which has its onset in childhood, progresses in spurts, and may be accompanied by pain or discomfort. Although it is common, is an understudied condition.

Ankyloglossia-related changes in the stomatognathic system / Anquiloglossia: ocorrência de alterações do sistema estomatognático

Objective: This study investigated the occurrence and frequency of changes in the stomatognathic system of patients with ankyloglossia.Methods: A total of 1516 patients aged 5 to 16 years, of both genders, attending public schools or seen at the Speech and Language Therapy Service of the Federal University of Santa Maria were screened for ankyloglossia. A pediatric dental surgeon was responsible for the diagnoses. Children diagnosed with ankyloglossia were then submitted to speech-language and orthodontic assessments. Results: Only 21 of the 1516 screened patients were diagnosed with ankyloglossia, which prevailed in males and children aged 5 to 6 years and 11 to 12 years. Changes in tongue resting position, tongue mobility, deglutition and articulation were found in most children. The most common orthodontic change was Class I malocclusion but Class III malocclusion and diastema of the lower incisors were also found. Conclusion: Ankyloglossia is a rare tongue condition, more common in males, and may affect the structures and functions of the stomatognathic system.

Objetivo: Verificar a ocorrência de alterações do sistema estomatognático em pacientes com anquiloglossia. Métodos: Foram triados 1.516 pacientes, com idades entre 5 e 16 anos, de ambos os sexos, provenientes de escolas municipais e estaduais ou que passaram pelo setor de triagem do Serviço de Atendimento Fonoaudiológico da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. O diagnóstico de anquiloglossia foi realizado por um odontopediatra, por meio de exame clínico. Após o diagnóstico, os pacientes eram encaminhados para as avaliações fonoaudiológica e ortodôntica. Resultados: Dos pacientes triados, 21 apresentaram diagnóstico de anquiloglossia, sendo que houve prevalência no sexo masculino e nas faixas etárias dos 5 aos 6 anos e dos 11 aos 12 anos. A maioria apresentou alterações na postura e mobilidade lingual, bem como nas funções de deglutição e fonoarticulação. Na classificação da oclusão a mais frequente foi a Classe I, sendo que a Classe III e o diastema interincisal inferior tiveram menor ocorrência entre os pacientes. Conclusão: A anquiloglossia é uma anomalia lingual rara, mais frequente no sexo masculino e que causa alterações nas estruturas e funções do sistema estomatognático.

Papillary atrophy of the tongue and nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics / Glossite atrófica e estado nutricional de alcoolistas hospitalizados

BACKGROUND: Atrophy of the papillae, mucosa, and dorsum of the tongue are considered classical signs of nutritional deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue. METHODS: This study was performed with 21 hospitalized alcoholics divided into Atrophic Glossitis Group (n=13) and Normal Tongue Group (n=8). Healthy, non-alcoholic volunteers composed the Control Group (n=8). Anthropometry and bioelectric impedance were performed, and serum vitamins A, E, and B12 were determined. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in relation to age (46.7±8.7 vs. 46.8±15.8 years) or gender (92.3% vs. 87.5% male), respectively. Control Group volunteers were also paired in relation to age (47.5±3.1 years) and male predominance (62.5%). In relation to hospitalized alcoholics without atrophic lesions of the tongue and Control Group, patients with papillary atrophy showed lower BMI (18.6 ± 2,5 vs 23.8 ± 3.5 vs 26.7 ± 3,6 kg/m² ) and body fat content 7.6 ± 3.5 vs 13.3 ± 6.5 vs 19.5 ± 4,9 kg). When compared with the Control Group, alcoholic patients with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue showed lower values of red blood cells (10.8 ± 2.2 vs 11.8 ± 2.2 vs 14.5 ± 1,6g/dL) and albumin (3.6 ± 0.9 vs 3.6 ± 0.8 vs 4.4 ± 0.2g/dL). The seric levels of vitamins A, E, and B12 were similar amongst the groups. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized alcoholics with papillary atrophy of the tongue had lower BMI and fat body stores than controls, without associated hypovitaminosis.

FUNDAMENTOS: A deficiência crônica de nutrientes pode levar à hipotrofia das papilas e da mucosa e do dorso da língua, considerada um sinal clássico de subnutrição protéico-energética. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar o estado nutricional, incluindo as dosagens dos níveis séricos de vitaminas A, E e B12 em pacientes alcoolistas com ou sem alterações tróficas das papilas linguais. MÉTODOS: O estudo caso-controle incluiu 21 pacientes adultos alcoolistas internados em um hospital universitário. Utilizando-se de um sistema de fotografia da cavidade oral, dois clínicos independentes classificaram os indivíduos alcoolistas de acordo com a presença ou não de alterações tróficas na língua. Foram registrados os dados antropométricos, a composição corporal pela impedância bioelétrica e os exames laboratoriais para avaliação clínica e nutricional, incluindo dosagens das vitaminas A, E e B12. O estudo incluiu ainda voluntários saudáveis, não alcoolistas como Grupo Controle (n=8). A comparação entre os grupos foi feita por ANOYA-F ou pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis, de acordo com a curva de normalidade dos resultados. Foram considerados significativos diferenças com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: De acordo com a presença de alterações tróficas nas papilas linguais, os pacientes alcoolistas foram alocados no Grupo Língua Despapilada (n=13) e Grupo Língua Normal (n=8), sem diferença estatística quanto à idade (46,7 ± 8,7 vs 46,8 ± 15,8 anos) e gênero masculino (92,3 vs 87,5%). Os voluntários do Grupo Controle apresentaram 47,5 ±3,1 anos, sendo 62,5% do gênero masculino. Os pacientes alcoolistas com hipotrofia papilar apresentaram menor IMC (18,6 ± 2,5 vs 23,8 ± 3,5 vs 26,7 ± 3,6 kg/m2) e gordura corporal (7,6 ± 3,5 vs 13,3 ± 6,5 vs 19,5 ± 4,9 kg), quando comparados com os demais grupos. Em relação ao Grupo Controle, os alcoolistas apresentaram menores valores de hemoglobina (10,8 ± 2,2 vs 11,8 ± 2,2 vs 14,5 ± 1,6 g/dL) e albumina sérica (3,6 ± 0,9 vs 3,6 ± 0,8 vs 4,4 ± 0,2 g/dL). Os níveis plasmáticos de vitaminas A, E e B12 foram similares entres os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes alcoolistas com achados físicos de hipotrofia de papilas linguais apresentam menores valores em medidas antropométricas, de hemoglobina e albumina séricas que os grupos Controle ou de alcoolistas sem língua despapilada. Não houve evidências de hipovitaminoses associadas.