Epulides - a Clinicomorphological Analysis

Background. Epulides are the most frequently observed gingival tumours. The etiopathogenesis of the hyperpla− sia is not yet clear, and classification remains inconsistent. Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyse clinicomorphological features of epulides Material and Methods. The clinicomorphological investigations involved 150 patients with diagnoses of inflam− matory epulis (43), giant cell epulis (73), and fibrous epulis (34). The patients were allocated to three study and four age subgroups. Medical history contained many detailed questions. Dental examination, X−rays and histopa− thological examination were all assessed. Results. The incidence of fibrous epulides was significantly higher among patients aged 15–44 years (29.4%) and among those over the age of 60 (35.5%). Inflammatory epulides were most frequently diagnosed in patients aged 15 to 44 years and 45 to 60 years (41.9% and 44.2%, respectively). The occurrence of giant cell epulis was com− parable in all age groups (p = 0.0003). Recurrence was observed in 4 cases of fibrous, 4 cases of inflammatory and 3 cases of giant cell epulis. Multifocal disease was diagnosed in 3 patients with inflammatory epulides. Osteolysis revealed on pantomograms was significantly more common in patients with giant cell epulis than those suffering from inflammatory or fibrous lesions. In giant cell− and fibrous epulides mean tumour size did not correlate with osteoplasia whereas it did in the case of inflammatory epulides. Conclusions. The variability of clinicomorphological features of epulides makes them a heterogenous group of gingival tumours (Dent. Med. Probl. 2009, 46, 1, 17–24).