LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ORAL MANIFESTATION OF PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune dermatological disease that results from the production of autoantibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3. A 41-year-old brown-skinned female patient reported to the emergency of a hospital with reports of painful sores in the mouth and skin. On physical examination, ulcers on the body and blisters on the palms of the hands were observed. On intraoral examination, ulcerated lesions were observed on the lateral border of the tongue, hard palate, buccal mucosa, and crusts on the lips. The diagnostic hypotheses were pemphigus vulgaris, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and bullous pemphigoid. The hypothesis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed through biopsy and histopathologic analysis. Systemic corticosteroid treatment and 14 sessions of red laser treatment were performed to promote analgesia and repair. Laser therapy proved to be effective as a complementary treatment for lesions in the mouth, providing comfort due to the reduction of painful symptoms and total regression of the lesions. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune dermatological disease that results from the production of autoantibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3. A 41-year-old brown-skinned female patient reported to the emergency of a hospital with reports of painful sores in the mouth and skin. On physical examination, ulcers on the body and blisters on the palms of the hands were observed. On intraoral examination, ulcerated lesions were observed on the lateral border of the tongue, hard palate, buccal mucosa, and crusts on the lips. The diagnostic hypotheses were pemphigus vulgaris, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and bullous pemphigoid. The hypothesis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed through biopsy and histopathologic analysis. Systemic corticosteroid treatment and 14 sessions of red laser treatment were performed to promote analgesia and repair. Laser therapy proved to be effective as a complementary treatment for lesions in the mouth, providing comfort due to the reduction of painful symptoms and total regression of the lesions.