Palatal superficial mucoceles associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease

A 23-year-old woman with history of acute myelogenous leukemia post Busulfan and Cytoxan conditioned 10/10 sibling donor peripheral blood stem cell transplant day +336 post-transplant and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) with mild hepatic and cutaneous involvement complained of symptomatic palatal lesions consistent with superficial mucoceles (Figure 1). Following unsuccessful treatment with topical corticosteroids, symptomatic improvement was achieved with dissolved budesonide powder in water rinses three times daily.

Figure 1
Multiple translucent vesicles with inflammation on soft palate consistent with superficial mucoceles.

Symptomatic superficial mucoceles are an uncommon manifestation of oral cGVHD and appear as translucent vesicles on the palate or labial mucosae. ¹,² Topical or injectable corticosteroids are commonly used for management.¹,²

References

• ¹
  Balasubramaniam R, Alawi F, DeRossi S. Superficial mucoceles in chronic graft-versus-host disease: a case report and review of the literature. Gen Dent. 2009;57(1):82-88.
• ²
  Deutsch A, McLellan BN. Topical tacrolimus for refractory superficial mucoceles in a patient with chronic graft versus host disease. JAAD Case Rep. 2020;6(5):426-427.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  13 Mar 2023
• Date of issue
  Jan-Mar 2023

History

• Received
  4 July 2021
• Accepted
  26 Sept 2021
• Published
  29 Nov 2021