Conventional visual examination and palpation remains the gold-standard for the identification of oral mucosal lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adjunctive value of a chemiluminescent light source (ViziLite, Zila Pharmaceuticals, Phoenix, Arizona) and application of pharmaceutical grade toluidine blue (TBlue630, Zila Pharmaceuticals, Phoenix, Arizona) to further assess lesions identified during the conventional oral soft tissue examination.
Lesions deemed clinically suspicious by visual examination under incandescent light were further assessed under chemiluminescence and then application of toluidine blue stain. Differences between the conventional visual examination and chemiluminescent examination were noted on four characteristics which may aid in lesion identification. Tissue retention of toluidine blue stain was documented. Each suspicious lesion was biopsied and diagnosed based upon routine histopathology. Both adjunctive exams were evaluated by comparing the histologic diagnosis. The additive value of toluidine blue stain retention was assessed in lesions diagnosed as ‘‘serious pathology’’ defined as severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and squamous cell carcinoma.

Autori
J.B. Epstein
S. Silverman
J.D. Epstein
S.A. Lonky
M.A. Bride