Characterization of Gingival Epulis Lesions: A Histological and Morphological Approach

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a clinical and histopathological study of Epulis at Bhittai medical and Dental College, Mirpurkhas.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Bhittai medical and Dental College Mirpurkhas. Patients clinically diagnosed with gingival outgrowth, across all age groups and both genders, were included. A provisional diagnosis of epulis was made based on clinical examination. After taking a careful history, relevant clinical features were recorded, and a biopsy procedure was performed using infiltration near the lesion or regional nerve block techniques. The data was documented using a pre-designed proforma and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: Out of 50 subjects, 30 (60%) were female and 20 (40%) were male. Most cases involved the maxillary gingiva (anterior or posterior) (62%). The majority of lesions measured between 2cm and 3cm (76%). Lesions typically exhibited a soft consistency (70%), with fewer cases being firm (8%) or hard (22%). Histologically, peripheral giant cell granuloma (PG) was most prevalent (50%), followed by fibrous epulis (42%), peripheral ossifying fibroma (4%), and peripheral giant cell granuloma with features of central giant cell granuloma (PGCG) (4%). No cases of congenital epulis or pregnancy tumor were reported. Histological evaluation revealed no significant gender differences (p-value 0.86).

Conclusion: Clinically, most epulis lesions presented as painless, soft, coral pink masses, typically measuring approximately 2-3 cm in diameter and exhibiting a sessile form and observed more commonly in females, with a predominant occurrence in the maxillary region. Histopathological examination revealed that the most frequent types were fibrous epulis and peripheral giant cell granuloma.