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
Jafarzadeh H, Sanatkhani M, Mohtasham N, et al. Oral Pyogenic Granuloma: A Review. J Oral Sci. 2006; 48:167-175.
Gonsalves, W.C., Chi, A.C., Neville, B.W. Common Oral Lesions: Part II. Masses and Neoplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(4):509-512.