Signs and Symptoms - Located at the junction of the hard and soft palate - Can arise anywhere minor salivary glands are located - May involve major salivary glands - Can be present on one side or both sides - Lesion is typically 1-4cm in diameter - Initially a tender, erythematous swelling - Progresses to an ulcerated stage with a yellow-gray ulcer - Usually minor pain or entirely painless - Prodromal symptoms similar to flu may occur - Healing takes 6-10 weeks

Causes - Exact cause is unknown - Vascular infarction and ischemic necrosis of salivary gland lobules are possible mechanisms - Local anaesthetic injections and tying of arteries can trigger similar tissue changes - Factors that may cause ischemia - Differentiation from SCC based on recent trauma or dental treatment

Treatment - No surgery required

Prognosis - Healing is prolonged, usually takes 6-10 weeks - Ulcer heals by secondary intention

Epidemiology - Condition is rare - Typical age range of those affected is 23-66 years - More common in smokers - Male to female ratio reported as 1.95:1 and 2.31:1 - First reported by Abrams et al. in 1973