Shehnaz Naseem Riaz.
Oral sub mucous fibrosis.
Pak Armed Forces Med J Jan ;52(2):199-202.

The use of smokeless tobacco in various forms is very popular in the sub continent. The habit of chewing betel quid (combined areca nut, betel leaf, tabacco and slacked lime) in a significant number of users has lead to the development of a unique generalized fibrosis of the oral soft tissues called oral sub mucous fibrosis (SMF). The condition is becoming prevalent in the sub continent because of increasing popularity of chewing pan masala. Areca out in quid and pan masala is the offending ingredient that causes fibrosis which results in marked rigidity and progressive inability to open the mouth. There is fibroelastic transformation of the juxta epithelial tissues which may potentiate carcinogenic effects of tabacco in quid. This is a review article.

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