Definition:
White Sponge Nevus otherwise known as the Cannon's Disease or Hereditary leukokeratosis of mucosa which follow a hereditary pattern as an autosomal dominant trait. It usually occur during childhood or adulthood of the person.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis includes the physical examination as well as examination of the patient's family history inasmuch as the medical condition is oftentimes an inherited disease.
Treatment:
Treatment includes topical applications of tetracycline to treat symptoms. In rare cases, a plaque which usually extends onto the lip vermilion usually may be removed by surgery for aesthetic reasons.
Symptoms and Signs:
It usually manifest itself in the mouth which is usually thick bilateral white plaque with spongy texture which is usually a buccal mucosa. It also manifest on the labial mucosa, alveolar ridge or floor of the mouth which is benign.
Causes:
White Sponge Nevus is caused by a mutation of the keratin 4 and keratin 13 genes (Kahn, Michael A. Basic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Volume 1. 2001).
