Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia
Jing Yin, Chen FangchunABSTRACT
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in treating oral leukoplakia (OLK), thereby exploring a novel therapeutic approach for this condition.
Methods
17 OLK patients treated at the Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases between June 2022 and February 2023 underwent HIFU therapy. Postoperative clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.
Results
At the 6‐month follow‐up, the outcomes were as follows: complete remission in 9 cases (52.95%), partial remission in 6 cases (35.29%), no remission in 2 cases (11.76%). The overall response rate reached 88.24%. 2 h postoperatively, 2 patients experienced significant pain, while the remaining patients reported mild pain (VAS score: 0.88 ± 1.83, M = 0). Patients with cheeks or commissural leukoplakia showed no swelling. Except for 1 case, patients with dorsal tongue leukoplakia exhibited mild swelling that resolved spontaneously within 2 ~ 24 h. Between 24 and 72 h postoperatively, all 16 patients except one developed noticeable ulcers with mild pain (VAS score: 1.1 ± 0.84, M = 1), which healed within 2–3 weeks.
Conclusion
HIFU demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in treating OLK. Postoperative reactions are localized and well‐tolerated, markedly improving patients' quality of life.