Pregnancy Granuloma
Pregnancy granuloma occurs in 5% of pregnant women. It is indistinguishable from pyogenic granuloma, and is a rapidly growing, tumor-like lesion that develops as a response to local irritation such as poor hygiene, overhanging restorations, or trauma. Increasing estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy exacerbate the condition.
Symptoms
- Erythematous, nonpainful, smooth, or lobulated mass
- Bleeds easily when touched
- Most frequently develops on the gingiva, but less common locations include the lip, tongue, or buccal mucosa
- May vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter
- Usually appears between second and eighth month of pregnancy
Treatment
- Offer reassurance
- Observe unless lesions are bleeding excessively, interfere with eating, or do not resolve spontaneously after delivery
- Lesions can be treated by conservative surgical excision
- Recurrence is uncommon unless the lesion is incompletely removed or the source of irritation remains
- Lesions excised during pregnancy recur more frequently
Large Granuloma
Brad Neville, DDS
References
Yara C, Coelho CMP, Brentegani LG, Vieira MLSO, de Oliveeria ML. Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Granuloma Gravidarum: Case Report. Brazilian Dental Journal 2000;11(2) 135-139.
Jafarzadeh H, Sanatkhani M, Mohtasham N, et al. Oral Pyogenic Granuloma: A Review. J Oral Sci. 2006; 48:167-175.