Epstein’s Pearls

Other Known Aliases – none

Definition – Small, fluid filled cysts on the hard palate of newborns that are most commonly found along the median palatal raphae.

Clinical Significance – None.  These are completely normal and occur in 65-80% of newborns.  The are formed by epithelium that becomes trapped during palatal development.

History – Named after Alois Epstein (1849-1918), who was a Czechoslovakian pediatrician, graduating from the University of Prague in 1873.  His career was highlighted by becoming the first physician-in-chief for the University of Prague hospital in 1873 and being appointed to professor at the University of Prague in 1884.  He first described these findings in 1880.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Lewis DM. Bohn’s nodules, Epstein’s pearls, and gingival cysts of the newborn: a new etiology and classification. Journal – Oklahoma Dental Association. ; 101(3):32-3. [pubmed]
6. Singh RK, Kumar R, Pandey RK, Singh K. Dental lamina cysts in a newborn infant. BMJ case reports. 2012; 2012:. [pubmed]
7. Epstein A. Ueber die Gelbsucht bei Neugeborenen Kindern. Leipsic. 1880. [book]