Oral Pyogenic Granuloma

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Background

The pyogenic granuloma is a relatively common, tumorlike, exuberant tissue response to localized irritation or trauma. The name pyogenic granuloma is a misnomer since the condition is not associated with pus and does not represent a granuloma histologically. It is a reactive inflammatory process filled with proliferating vascular channels, immature fibroblastic connective tissue, and scattered inflammatory cells. The surface usually is ulcerated, and the lesion exhibits a lobular architecture. Note the image below.



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Typical appearance of a pyogenic granuloma involving the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 20 and 21. Note the extreme vascularity.

Two lesions, peripheral ossifying fibroma and peripheral giant cell granuloma, are clinically identical to the pyogenic granuloma when they occur on the gingiva. If 100 biopsies of pyogenic granuloma–appearing lesions of the gingiva are submitted for histologic examination, approximately 75% will be pyogenic granulomas, 20% will be peripheral ossifying fibromas, and 5% will be peripheral giant cell granulomas. The pyogenic granuloma can occur anywhere in the oral cavity, whereas the peripheral ossifying fibroma and peripheral giant cell granuloma only occur on the gingiva or alveolar mucosa. The clinical appearance, treatment, and prognosis are the same for all 3 entities.

Pathophysiology

The pyogenic granuloma most frequently develops on the buccal gingiva in the interproximal tissue between teeth. Three quarters of all oral pyogenic granulomas occur on the gingiva, with the lips, tongue (especially the dorsal surface), and buccal mucosa also affected. A history of trauma is common in extragingival sites, whereas most lesions of the gingiva are a response to irritation. Individuals with poor oral hygiene and chronic oral irritants (eg, overhanging restorations, calculus) most frequently are affected. Pregnancy exacerbates the tendency to develop a pyogenic granuloma.

Etiology

A history of trauma is common in extragingival sites, whereas most lesions of the gingiva are a response to irritation.[1] Individuals with poor oral hygiene and chronic oral irritants (eg, overhanging restorations, calculus) most frequently are affected.

In 2010, a case of pyogenic granuloma was reported around an implant. This will be a more common occurrence as the number of implants and associated peri-implantitis continues to increase.[2]

Epidemiology

Frequency

Lesions have a similar frequency throughout the world.

Race

No racial predilection is reported.

Sex

Females are far more susceptible than males because of the hormonal changes that occur in women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. The pyogenic granuloma has been called a "pregnancy tumor" and does occur in 1% of pregnant women. When possible, wait until after delivery to remove the lesion in pregnant women because of a greater tendency for recurrence during pregnancy.

In a number of cases, mastication on the lesion causes bleeding and pain and requires surgical intervention before parturition. Some pyogenic granulomas regress after childbirth without surgical intervention.

Age

Pyogenic granulomas occur at any age, but they most frequently affect young adults.

Prognosis

The prognosis is excellent, and the lesion usually does not recur unless inadequately removed. Lesions removed during pregnancy may have a higher recurrence rate. This is a benign reactive/inflammatory proliferation that does not recur after surgical removal. However, lesions of the gingiva need to have the potential irritants such as plaque and calculus removed to prevent a reoccurrence. Mastication on the lesion can cause bleeding and pain and can require surgical intervention before parturition in lesions associated with pregnancy.[3]

Patient Education

This is a benign reactive/inflammatory process that can be avoided (even in pregnancy) by using good oral hygiene and not allowing plaque and calculus to build up on the teeth. The pyogenic granulomas are most commonly found on the gingiva, but they can also be found on other oral locations. Pregnancy exacerbates the tendency to develop this lesion.

History

Early lesions bleed easily due to extreme vascularity. Pyogenic granulomas can have a rapid growth pattern that can cause alarm. If left alone, a number of pyogenic granulomas undergo fibrous maturation and resemble and/or become fibromas.

Physical Examination

The typical lesion involves the interproximal gingiva and increases in size to cover a portion of the adjacent teeth. The maxillary gingiva (especially in the anterior region) is involved more frequently than the mandibular gingiva; the facial gingiva is involved more than the lingual gingiva. A number of lesions affect both the facial and lingual gingivae.

Pyogenic granulomas usually present as smooth or lobulated red-to-purple masses that may be either pedunculated or sessile. As lesions mature, the vascularity decreases and the clinical appearance is more collagenous and pink. Pyogenic granulomas vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters and are painless. These tumors are soft to palpation.

Note the images below.



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Pyogenic granuloma of the anterior maxilla showing a small amount of involvement on the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 8 and 9 with most of the lesio....



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Pyogenic granuloma of the dorsal tongue in a 52-year-old black woman. An area of geographic tongue is adjacent to the pyogenic granuloma.



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Pyogenic granuloma associated with teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 27-year-old white woman who is 8 months pregnant. The lesion was excised without curet....



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Same patient as in Image 4 with a lesion that recurred almost immediately. This picture was taken 1 month after the birth of her child.



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Rapidly growing pyogenic granuloma in the area of teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 13-year-old black girl. Notice the calculus and plaque on tooth number ....



View Image

Pyogenic granuloma on the facial gingiva of teeth numbers 7 and 8. This is a long-standing lesion that is becoming fibrosed and less vascular. Notice ....

Imaging Studies

Obtain a periapical radiograph of the associated teeth in lesions that involve the teeth. Radiography findings are negative if the lesion is a pyogenic granuloma. If calcifications are present, then the lesion probably is a peripheral ossifying fibroma, which is clinically identical to the pyogenic granuloma and requires the same treatment of removal with scaling of the adjacent teeth.

Histologic Findings

Histologic examination reveals sectioned soft tissue consisting of a lesion composed of ulcerated mucosa covering a core of cellular fibrous connective tissue admixed with proliferating vascular channels and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. This lesion is a reactive/inflammatory process.

Surgical Care

The treatment of choice is conservative surgical excision. For gingival lesions, excising the lesion down to the periosteum and scaling adjacent teeth to remove any calculus and plaque that may be a source of continuing irritation is recommended.

Pyogenic granuloma occasionally recurs, and a reexcision is necessary. The recurrence rate is higher for pyogenic granulomas removed during pregnancy.

Consultations

No complications are anticipated with removal of this lesion other than the chance of a cosmetic gingival defect.

Prevention

Prevention consists of routine dental cleanings and home care, especially during pregnancy.

Long-Term Monitoring

The only outpatient care is observation of the surgical healing 1 week after removal.

Author

John A Svirsky, DDS, MEd, Director of Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editors

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD, Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS, Consulting Staff, Dermatology of Southwest Ohio

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jeff Burgess, DDS, MSD, (Retired) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, University of Washington School of Dental Medicine; (Retired) Attending in Pain Center, University of Washington Medical Center; (Retired) Private Practice in Hawaii and Washington; Director, Oral Care Research Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Kelly M Cordoro, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology and Pediatrics, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Vilmann A, Vilmann P, Vilmann H. Pyogenic granuloma: evaluation of oral conditions. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1986 Oct. 24(5):376-82. [View Abstract]
  2. Olmedo DG, Paparella ML, Brandizzi D, Cabrini RL. Reactive lesions of peri-implant mucosa associated with titanium dental implants: a report of 2 cases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2010 May. 39(5):503-7. [View Abstract]
  3. Sills ES, Zegarelli DJ, Hoschander MM, Strider WE. Clinical diagnosis and management of hormonally responsive oral pregnancy tumor (pyogenic granuloma). J Reprod Med. 1996 Jul. 41(7):467-70. [View Abstract]
  4. Acharya PN, Gill D, Lloyd T. Pyogenic granuloma: a rare side complication from an orthodontic appliance. J Orthod. 2011 Dec. 38(4):290-3. [View Abstract]
  5. Bhaskar SN, Jacoway JR. Pyogenic granuloma--clinical features, incidence, histology, and result of treatment: report of 242 cases. J Oral Surg. 1966 Sep. 24(5):391-8. [View Abstract]
  6. Eisen D, Lynch DP. The Mouth: Diagnosis and Treatment. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1998. 58-60.
  7. Kamal R, Dahiya P, Puri A. Oral pyogenic granuloma: Various concepts of etiopathogenesis. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2012 Jan. 16(1):79-82. [View Abstract]
  8. Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, Bouquot JE. Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2002. 447-9.
  9. Neville BW, Damm DD, White DK. Color Atlas of Clinical Oral Pathology. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999. 284-5.
  10. Sapp JP, Eversole LR, Wysocki GP. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2003.

Typical appearance of a pyogenic granuloma involving the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 20 and 21. Note the extreme vascularity.

Pyogenic granuloma of the anterior maxilla showing a small amount of involvement on the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 8 and 9 with most of the lesion on the lingua. Note that indentations from the lower teeth are on the surface of the tumor.

Pyogenic granuloma of the dorsal tongue in a 52-year-old black woman. An area of geographic tongue is adjacent to the pyogenic granuloma.

Pyogenic granuloma associated with teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 27-year-old white woman who is 8 months pregnant. The lesion was excised without curetting the area to remove irritants.

Same patient as in Image 4 with a lesion that recurred almost immediately. This picture was taken 1 month after the birth of her child.

Rapidly growing pyogenic granuloma in the area of teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 13-year-old black girl. Notice the calculus and plaque on tooth number 22. The lesion was soft to palpation.

Pyogenic granuloma on the facial gingiva of teeth numbers 7 and 8. This is a long-standing lesion that is becoming fibrosed and less vascular. Notice the pink coloration at the base of the lesion.

Typical appearance of a pyogenic granuloma involving the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 20 and 21. Note the extreme vascularity.

Pyogenic granuloma of the anterior maxilla showing a small amount of involvement on the buccal gingiva of teeth numbers 8 and 9 with most of the lesion on the lingua. Note that indentations from the lower teeth are on the surface of the tumor.

Pyogenic granuloma of the dorsal tongue in a 52-year-old black woman. An area of geographic tongue is adjacent to the pyogenic granuloma.

Pyogenic granuloma associated with teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 27-year-old white woman who is 8 months pregnant. The lesion was excised without curetting the area to remove irritants.

Same patient as in Image 4 with a lesion that recurred almost immediately. This picture was taken 1 month after the birth of her child.

Rapidly growing pyogenic granuloma in the area of teeth numbers 20 and 21 in a 13-year-old black girl. Notice the calculus and plaque on tooth number 22. The lesion was soft to palpation.

Pyogenic granuloma on the facial gingiva of teeth numbers 7 and 8. This is a long-standing lesion that is becoming fibrosed and less vascular. Notice the pink coloration at the base of the lesion.