A Case Report on Familial White Sponge Nevus in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

White sponge nevus (WSN) is an uncommon, benign, autosomal dominant disorder that usually appears at birth or in early childhood. It affects males and females equally and is caused by germ line mutations of the keratin genes leading to keratin instability and tonofilament aggregation. The condition causes painless, white, thickened, corrugated plaques to form on the oral mucosa, especially bilaterally on the buccal mucosa. Extra-orally, it occurs most often in the vaginal mucosa, as well as in the nasal and esophageal mucosa. In this report, we describe the case of a healthy 32-year-old Saudi male in Jizan in southern Saudi Arabia whose general dentist referred him to the oral medicine clinic at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with white sponge nevus. The patient reported no medical problems and was a cigarette smoker for more than 10 years. An oral examination revealed white lesions affecting the buccal mucosa bilaterally and the labial mucosa. A biopsy of the buccal mucosa confirmed the diagnosis of white sponge nevus. Laser therapy was suggested for the aesthetic treatment of the lesions. Better awareness of this hereditary condition among dental professionals can help improve timely diagnoses early in life and thus avoid unnecessary or inadequate treatment for this benign condition.