Pyogenic granuloma is a vascular lesion that occurs on both mucosa and skin, and appears
as an overgrowth of tissue due to irritation, physical trauma or hormonal factors.
It is often found to involve the gums, the skin and nasal septum, and has also been found
far from the head such as in the thigh.
History and terminology Pyogenic granuloma was first described in
1897 by two French surgeons, Poncet and Dor, who named this lesion botryomycosis hominis.
The name for pyogenic granuloma is misleading because it is not a true granuloma.
In actuality, it is a capillary hemangioma of lobular subtype which is the reason they
are often quite prone to bleeding.
It is also not truly pyogenic, as the cause is traumatic and not infectious.
Signs and symptoms Clinical presentation
The appearance of pyogenic granuloma is usually a color ranging from red/pink to purple, and
can be smooth or lobulated.
Younger lesions are more likely to be red because of the high number of blood vessels.
Older lesions begin to change into a pink color.
Size ranges from a few millimeters to centimeters.
This is not to say that the pyogenic granuloma can not be bigger but it is more common to
see one within these measurements.
It can be painful, especially if located in an area of the body where it is constantly
disturbed.
Pyogenic granulomas can grow rapidly and will often bleed profusely with little or no trauma.
Some cases may also include the granuloma "leaking" an oil like substance causing the
surface to be damp.
This is especially if the granuloma is located on the scalp.
It is most likely to occur in children and younger adults, and there is a definite gender
difference with more females affected than men.
In pregnant women, it is most likely to occur in the first trimester with an increasing
incidence up until the seventh month and is often seen on the anterior nasal septum as
a source of frequent nose bleeds.
Pyogenic granulomas appear on the gingiva in 75% of cases, more often in the maxillary
than mandibular jaw.
Anterior areas are more often affected than posterior areas.
It can also be found on the lips, tongue, and inner cheek.
Poor oral hygiene or trauma are usually precipitating factors.
One study has suggested a correlation between pyogenic granuloma and Bartonella seropositivity.
However, this association has been questioned by others.
The appearance of a pyogenic granulomas microscopically has a highly vascular granulation tissue.
Inflammation is present.
The lesion may have a fibrous character if it is older, and the surface may have ulcerations.
Pyogenic granuloma rarely occurs in the conjunctiva, cornea or connective tissue of the eye following
minor local trauma.
Grossly these mass lesions resemble those occurring at more common sites.
The relationship of this lesion to the lobular capillary hemangioma of skin and oropharyngeal
mucosa commonly referred to as pyogenic granuloma is uncertain.
Associated conditions Due to its overwhelming incidence on the gingiva,
the condition is often associated with two other diseases, though not because they occur
together.
Instead, the three are associated with each other because they appear frequently on gingiva
- peripheral giant cell granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma.
However, detailed analysis can be used to distinguish these conditions.
The appearance can be very similar to that of a hemangioma but unlike hemangiomas they
can appear after birth.
Treatment There is usually no treatment if the pyogenic
granuloma occurs during pregnancy since the lesion may heal spontaneously.
Recurrent bleeding in either the oral or nasal lesions may necessitate excision and cauterization
sooner, however.
If aesthetics are a concern, then treatment may be pursued as well.
Usually, only minor surgery may be needed, along with a dental cleaning for oral lesions
to remove any calculus or other source of irritation.
For nasal lesions, one should be discouraged from any nose-picking.
Gallery
See also Trumpeter's wart
List of cutaneous conditions References