Peripheral giant cell granulomas: a series of 279 cases.

Objective: This study investigated the demographic, clinicopathologic, and histopathologic findings of lesions diagnosed as peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) by the Louisiana State University Oral Pathology Biopsy Service from 1974 to 2011.

Study Design: Clinical, demographic, and histopathologic evaluation was completed for 279 cases. A follow-up questionnaire was mailed to all surgeons who performed these biopsies from 1990 to 2011.

Results: Of the 279 lesions, 58% occurred in the mandible, 44% occurred in the anterior portion of the arches, 83% were adjacent to teeth, 14% occurred in edentulous areas, and 2% were adjacent to implants. Average duration was 10.5 months, and the average size was 12.7 mm. The recurrence rate was 17.5%. Histopathologically, 78% of lesions extended to the base of the specimen, 50% exhibited ulceration, 41% contained calcifications, and 6% exhibited features overlapping with another pathologic entity.

Conclusions: PGCG is a well-defined pathologic entity among reactive gingival lesions. Recurrent lesions were more likely to contain calcifications.