Document Type : Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral giant cell granuloma or giant cell epulis is a relatively common reactive lesion of the oral mucosa in response to local irritation and trauma. It is mostly seen in women during the 4th to 6th decades of life. Since recurrence is relatively common surgery with extraction of the involved tooth or teeth and curettage of the alveolar bony socket is the preferable treatment. In children this lesion can occur after deciduous tooth root resorption and might have a more aggressive clinical course in this age group. Case report: Reported here is occurrence of a relatively common lesion in an uncommon age and sex group. A soft tissue lump in an asymptomatic, otherwise healthy, 10-year-old boy with no evidence of bone destruction was surgically excised and submitted for microscopic evaluation. Microscopically a diagnosis of peripheral giant cell granuloma was established. At 6-month follow-up the site of surgery had healed completely with no post-surgical complications. Discussion and Conclusion: Although peripheral giant cell granuloma is more common during the 4th to 6th decades of life, this lesion might occur in children, with alveolar bone resorption, abnormal patterns of eruption of permanent teeth and loose and displaced teeth. Therefore, the aim of this report was to draw attention to the possibility of the occurrence of these lesions at a young age to pave the way for early diagnosis and treatment.   Key words: Child, Giant cell granuloma, Oral mucosa