Traumatic ulcer of the tongue mimicking a malignant lesion: Case report

The most prevalent oral ulcers are those caused by trauma, and their etiopathogenesis has been frequently obvious. Yet, oral ulcers can be misdiagnosed and managed incorrectly. A 25-year-old patient presented to our service with a painful lesion on the right lateral border of the tongue that had evolved for one week. A possible traumatic factor was identified. The ulcer completely recovered once the trauma's cause was removed. An accurate diagnosis was achieved by combining a precise physical examination with clinical follow-up. Single oral ulcers have various clinical presentations that can be confusing. Some of them may mimic oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), especially when accompanied by any induration. Determining the cause of oral ulceration requires a careful medical history and a clinical examination with inspection and palpation, which may be combined with other accessory investigations if necessary. This clinical case reinforces the importance of investigating local causes before moving on to systemic ones. We present differential diagnosis and management algorithm of single oral ulcers. •A single oral ulcer has various clinical presentations and may mimic malignant lesions, especially when accompanied by any induration.•It is important to look for local oral ulcer causes first before moving on to systemic ones.•Traumatic oral ulcers should heal within 2 weeks of the removal of the injury's factor. This period can be longer, especially in immunologically compromised patients.•A non-healing oral ulcer must have a histopathological investigation.