ORAL SIGNS OF COVID-19 IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS: A SERIES OF 9 CASES

Abstract

Oral manifestations have been related to COVID-19 patients with COVID-19, classified as necrotic/hemorrhagic ulcers, aphthous-like ulcerations, and petechiae. Here we report a series of 9 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with one of the oral signs of COVID-19. Multiple erythema/petechiae were diagnosed in the palate of 3 patients with moderate symptoms of COVID-19, without reports of pain or discomfort. Three other patients with moderate symptoms of COVID-19 related discomfort on palpation and intraoral examination revealed multiple superficial aphthous-like ulcers with irregular margins and many sizes covered with a mucopurulent membrane in the buccal mucosa and palate. In the intensive care unit, 3 patients with COVID-19 with critical symptoms presented necrotic/hemorrhagic ulcers affecting the lip mucosa, alveolar ridge, and dorsal and lateral tongues, characterized by bleeding and focal areas of shallow necrosis. All cases were followed up by dentists of the multidisciplinary team at the hospitals.