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| TEACHING IMAGES |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 10
| Issue : 1 | Page : 132-133 |
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Fordyce spots of buccal mucosa
Soumyajit Das, Satvinder Singh Bakshi
Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
| Date of Submission | 22-Nov-2021 |
| Date of Decision | 14-Dec-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 16-Dec-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 23-Jun-2022 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Soumyajit Das
Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri - 522 503, Andhra Pradesh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/amhs.amhs_276_21
Fordyce spots, also known as Fordyce glands, are enlarged ectopic sebaceous glands. The diagnosis is mainly clinical. These lesions appear as asymptomatic, isolated or scattered, grouped minute (pinhead-sized, “dust-like”), creamy yellow, discrete papules. The clinical significance Fordyce spots over the oral mucosa are reported rarely and is known to have an array of clinical mimics such as malignancies of oral mucosa. They are also often mistaken for a fungal infection or lichen planus papules. Fordyce spots should be differentiated from milia and sebaceous hyperplasia. These pseudo lesions of the oral mucosa do not require any intervention apart from reassurance in view of the benign nature of the condition.
Keywords: Ectopic sebaceous glands, papule, Fordyce spots,buccal mucosa
How to cite this article:
Das S, Bakshi SS. Fordyce spots of buccal mucosa. Arch Med Health Sci 2022;10:132-3 |
A 39-year-old male was found to have incidental white spots over the inner side of the left cheek. The patient had no history of tobacco use or suffered from any systemic illness. Examination of the oral cavity revealed an island of small white papular lesions in the left buccal mucosa which had a smooth and shiny surface [Figure 1]. There were no other abnormal findings in the oral cavity. The buccal mucosal lesions were diagnosed as Fordyce spots.
Fordyce spots are frequently seen on the genitals, lips, and oral cavity, the most common site being the vermillion border of lips.[1] These are sebaceous glands present at ectopic sites and usually appear as cluster of painless, pale, red, or yellowish-white papular spots of approximately 1–3 mm diameter. Unlike the usual sebaceous glands, these ectopic sebaceous glands are not attached to hair follicles. These ectopic glands open directly into the mucosa or the cutaneous surface. Fordyce spots are more commonly seen in the males (male:female – 11:5) in the age group of 17–67 years.[1] These are present since birth but enlarge during puberty due to the effect of the gonadal hormones. Though commonly seen in adults, these may be present in 1% of neonates and are due to the effect of maternal androgens.[2] Some uncommon sites of occurrence of ectopic sebaceous gland include the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, uterine cervix, thymus, and tongue. Fordyce spots may often be confused with warts or minor aphthous ulcers or with Koplik spots.[3] However, these are benign and often do not require any treatment.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given his consent for his images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that his name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Lee JH, Lee JH, Kwon NH, Yu DS, Kim GM, Park CJ, et al. Clinicopathologic manifestations of patients with Fordyce's spots. Ann Dermatol 2012;24:103-6.  |
| 2. | Arun Babu T, Vijayadevagaran V, Carounanidy U. Congenital intraoral Fordyce spots. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2016;101:F252. |
| 3. | Xavier S, Forgie SE. Koplik spots revisited. CMAJ 2015;187:600. |
[Figure 1]
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