Description: The peripheral giant cell granuloma appears as a nodular red soft tissue mass arising from gingiva or alveolar mucosa. Most are approximately a centimeter in size, although they may be larger. Most patients are under 30; lesions are more common in females. There is almost equal distribution between maxillary and mandibular gingiva. 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
Prognosis: Good. The lesion should be followed since recurrence is occasionally seen.
Differential diagnosis: Pyogenic granuloma and peripheral fibroma