Hairy leukoplakia

Oral hairy leukoplakia are hairy, plaque-type, white-coloured lesions, presenting symmetrically on the sides of the tongue. Their presence can be the first oral manifestation of an HIV infection, with which they are markedly associated. A diagnosis of oral hairy leukoplakia must be distinguished from idiopathic leukoplakia or hyperkeratosis related to chronic trauma (e.g. an unsuitable filling).