Angina bullosa hemorrhagica - Oral Mucosal Lesion
Alerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis

Angina bullosa hemorrhagica (ABH) is a very rare disorder of the subepithelium that is characterized by the sudden onset of a tense, blood-filled bulla on the oral mucosa. The bulla may expand rapidly over 1 or 2 days and then rupture, leaving behind an ulcer that heals within 7-10 days. More than one bulla may be present, and recurrences occur in around one-third of patients. The soft palate is most frequently affected, but ABH may arise on most other intraoral sites as well, including the tongue, buccal and lingual mucosa, and tonsillar fauces. Pharyngeal and esophageal cases have been reported. Rare reported sequelae include hoarseness and excessive blood-tinged salivation.
This condition affects men and women equally and typically occurs in adults aged 50-70 years. The pathophysiology of ABH is unclear. While precipitating factors such as hot drinks, inhaled corticosteroids, trauma from an adjacent sharp tooth edge, chewing, or a dental procedure have been reported, around half of patients have no obvious precipitant. Some of the reported cases in the literature have had concomitant hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A few patients with drug-induced or idiopathic thrombocytopenia have been reported to develop ABH-like bullae.
This condition affects men and women equally and typically occurs in adults aged 50-70 years. The pathophysiology of ABH is unclear. While precipitating factors such as hot drinks, inhaled corticosteroids, trauma from an adjacent sharp tooth edge, chewing, or a dental procedure have been reported, around half of patients have no obvious precipitant. Some of the reported cases in the literature have had concomitant hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A few patients with drug-induced or idiopathic thrombocytopenia have been reported to develop ABH-like bullae.
Codes
ICD10CM:
S00.522A – Blister (nonthermal) of oral cavity, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
235025005 – Traumatic oral hemorrhagic bulla
S00.522A – Blister (nonthermal) of oral cavity, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
235025005 – Traumatic oral hemorrhagic bulla
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Mucous membrane pemphigoid
- Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
- Erythema multiforme
- Oral amyloidosis (see AL amyloidosis)
- Pemphigus vulgaris
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Erosive lichen planus
- Hemorrhagic blisters from low platelets in hematologic disorders such as leukemia
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:11/20/2019
Last Updated:11/20/2019
Last Updated:11/20/2019