A Case of Intractable Tongue Ulcer Possibly Related to Candida Infection

Abstract

Intractable ulcer is a frequently encountered symptom in daily practice. However, it is very difficult to identify the cause of an intractable ulcer of the oral cavity. In the present case, the patient had received medical treatment with antibiotics for pneumonia. At the first examination at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), an ulcer 20 mm in diameter on the dorsum of the tongue was found. Though we started treatment with mouthwash, steroid cream, and vitamin B₆ for this ulcer as usual, it seemed resistant to treatment. Therefore, mycology culture was performed and Candida albicans was found, which we treated with antifungal medication. The medication was successful and the ulcer disappeared in four weeks. This case suggests that Candida may play an important role in oral ulcer.