Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia, a rare oral infection in Asia: report of twelve cases in Iran.

OBJECTIVES Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH) is benign, asymptomatic oral disease with viral etiology. The frequency of this disease varies widely from one geographic region to another, and can vary, from 0.002 to 35% depending on the population studied. STUDY DESIGN Here we report the clinicopathological features of twelve cases of MEH referred to Oral Medicine Department of Mashhad Dental School for the first time in Iran. Records of patients with the diagnosis of MEH in our department during 7 years were analyzed and data were extracted. RESULTS Most of the patients were younger than 20-year-old (66%), and females were predominantly affected (7:12). The mean age of onset was 12.72+/-10.14 years and the mean duration was 52.54 +/- 78.51 months. Patients had multiple, well circumscribed, soft, non tender, flattened papules, with a color similar to the adjacent mucosa, in different areas of the oral cavity but the most affected site was buccal mucosa. Familial history of such lesions was negative in all patients. Only three cases showed spontaneous regression. CONCLUSION In spite of rare nature of this disease in Asia, it seems that it is not the case in Khorasan Province, southeast Iran.