Role of Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Introduction: Oral Submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is well recognized as one of the most common potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa in India related to chewing of areca nut products and characterized by mucosal rigidity of varying intensity caused by fibroelastic changes of the juxta – epithelial layer, resulting in a progressive inability to open the mouth. Ultrasonography (USG) is a non-invasive diagnostic modality commonly used for soft tissue pathology. It is considered as a form of “real time” imaging. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) as a non invasive tool in assessing the severity of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Materials and Methods: The submucosal thickness in buccal mucosa was measured using ultrasound (6-13 MHz) in 50 subjects comprising 25 OSMF cases and 25 controls. Results: Results were analysed by one way analysis of variance, chi-square test, Pearson correlation and t-test. As the stages of OSMF advanced, an increase in submucosal thickness of the buccal mucosa was seen in case group when compared with control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: USG is an effective non-invasive modality for assessing the progression of OSMF.