Angina bullosa hemorrhagica is the Latin term for a blood blister. Some authors refer to this lesion as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (see also Chap. 2).

The etiology is unknown, although trauma is suggested to be the most likely cause.

Rather rare phenomenon. Occurs more often in women than in men, usually at an older age.

Sudden development of a solitary blood blister accompanied by a painful sensation.

The palate is the site of predilection (Fig. 6.1); other affected sites may be the buccal mucosa and the lateral borders of the tongue. The blister ruptures in a matter of hours, leaving a superficial ulcer behind.

Because of the spontaneous rupture of the blister, there is no need for treatment. Some patients will experience recurrences; there are no means to prevent such events.

Descriptive, somewhat obsolete, term for an ulcerative lesion in the midline of the hard palate after having excluded any etiologic factor.

A midline granuloma is often caused by a natural killer T-cell lymphoma. There are several lesions and conditions that may cause palatal ulceration or even perforation, including malignancies other than lymphomas, Wegener’s granulomatosis, traumatic ulcers due to an ill-fitting denture, third stage of syphilis, and cocaine abuse.

Rare event.

Ulcerative, destructive changes of the palatal mucosa sometimes resulting in palatal perforation (Fig. 6.2). The differential diagnoses includes Wegener’s granulomatosis (Fig. 6.3), squamous cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and a defect due to the use of cocaine.

Depends on the final diagnosis.

Opportunistic mycotic infection.

Predisposing factors are dysregulated diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and immunodeficiency.

The typical oral presentation is a dehiscence of the palatal bone that becomes necrotic, acquiring a brown-black appearance (Fig. 6.4).

Cytologic smears may be used for the demonstration of the fungus (Fig. 6.5).

Treatment of the underlying cause, if possible. Removal of the necrotic bone. Antifungal treatment, e.g., with high-dose amphotericin B.

Developmental non-odontogenic cyst derived from epithelial rests of the nasopalatine duct.

Rather uncommon cyst that usually does not appear before the age of 30–40 years.

A nasopalatine duct cyst occasionally causes a swelling at the palatal aspect of the upper front teeth, typically located in the midline (Fig. 6.6); the teeth remain vital. In the rare event of occurrence in a child, the typical presentation is just a small, slightly elevated bluish lesion behind the upper incisors (Fig. 6.7). In rare instances, the cyst formation occurs in the papilla incisiva, outside the bone. A nasopalatine duct cyst may also arise in an edentulous part of the alveolar ridge.

A nasopalatine duct cyst presents as a round or oval, well-defined radiolucency in or close to the midline, sometimes mimicking a periapical radiolucency (Fig. 6.8). When the teeth are vital, the diagnosis of nasopalatine duct cyst may be made based on the radiograph only, although the differential diagnosis theoretically includes a variety of odontogenic and non-odontogenic cysts and tumors.

The cyst lining consists of stratified squamous epithelium and sometimes cuboidal or ciliated epithelium. In contrast to odontogenic cysts, the cyst wall may contain nerves.

An asymptomatic well-defined radiolucency in the midline of the upper front is a rather common incidental finding on a radiograph and does not necessarily require treatment. In the absence of a swelling or symptoms, there is no need for treatment or follow-up. In case of symptoms, enucleation or marsupialization is indicated. Recurrences are rare.

Ulcer of the palatal mucosa due to local injection of an anesthetic solution (see also Chap. 2).

A palatal ulcer may be caused by infiltration with a local anesthetic containing epinephrine. This may result a few days later in an ischemic ulcer.

Clinically, a nonspecific, usually painful ulcer near the midline of the palate will be observed (Fig. 6.9a, b). The underlying bone will remain intact. When in doubt about the nature of the ulcer, a biopsy should be taken.

A biopsy will show necrotic changes of the parenchyma of the palatal salivary glands. The salivary ducts usually persist and may show squamous metaplasia (“necrotizing sialometaplasia”). These changes may mimic a squamous cell carcinoma or a mucoepidermoid carcinoma (Fig. 6.10).

Treatment is not required. Healing takes place in several weeks.

Papillary hyperplasia of the palatal mucosa.