A comparative evaluation between oral leukoplakia patients, oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and healthy individuals using palmar dermatoglyphic patterns

Dermatoglyphics is an art and science of fingerprints which involves the study of fine dermal ridge pattern and configuration of digits, palms and soles. It was derived from Latin words “derma” means skin and “glyphics” means carvings. The term “Dermatoglyphics” was coined by Cummins and Midlo (1991). Dermatoglyphics may be of immense clinical implication to separate those persons who are at a higher risk for developing oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma at early stage. The present study on palmar dermatoglyphics in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma has few significant parameters. Depending on the results following conclusions have been drawn from our study. Significant findings in patients with oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma in both hands: • Increase in frequency of arches. • Increase in frequency of loops. • Decrease in frequency of whorls. • Increase in frequency of loops in I2, I3, I4 area. No significant difference was observed in the following findings in both hands: • Hypothenar pattern. • Thenar/I1 area pattern. • Total finger ridge count • atd angle. • ab count. Thus these findings would help us to identify an individual with or at risk for developing oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. So that high risk individuals can be identified and preventive measures can be instituted at the earliest to prevent the occurrence of oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Subject Area: Oral Pathology.