Peripheral giant cell granuloma
DESCRIPTION: The peripheral giant cell granuloma appears as a nodular soft tissue mass arising from gingival or alveolar mucosa. The color may be red but is often a blue-grey. Most are approximately a centimeter in size, although they may be larger. The peak age is around 40 years but they occur in all ages with a female prevalence. There is almost equal distribution between maxillary and mandibular gingival. The term “peripheral” is included in the name to separate this lesion from a histologically similar lesion which occurs inside the jaws. Jaw lesions are referred to as the “central” giant cell granuloma. The peripheral granuloma may cause pressure resorption of underlying alveolar bone and less commonly resorption of the adjacent tooth. They are not painful. Histologically this lesion consists of fibroblasts and multinucleated giant cells.
ETIOLOGY: Unknown
TREATMENT: Conservative excision. The recurrence rate is approximately 10%.
PROGNOSIS: Good.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma.
