Gingival Plasma Cell Granuloma Mimicking Malignancy in a Pediatric Patient with Poor Oral Hygiene and Malnutrition: A Case Report
Abstract
Background: Plasma cell granuloma (PCG) is a rare benign inflammatory lesion characterized by infiltration of polyclonal plasma cells within connective tissue stroma. Although most cases are localized and indolent, oral involvement, particularly on the gingiva, is uncommon and may clinically mimic malignancy or reactive lesions. PCG usually occurs in adolescents and young adults, while in pediatric patients are rare and diagnostically challenging. Poor nutritional status and poor oral hygiene are systemic vulnerabilities that may worsen severity and complicate diagnosis. This report aims to present a case of gingival PCG mimicking malignancy in pediatric patient with poor oral hygiene and malnutrition, highlighting diagnostic challenges and management.
Case Presentation: A 3-year-old boy was referred due to gingival swelling and bleeding two weeks after a traumatic fall. The patient had never cleaned his teeth and was diagnosed with malnutrition. Clinical examination showed poor oral hygiene and widespread gingival enlargement with bleeding. Incisional biopsy confirmed plasma cell granuloma, showing plasma cell infiltration within fibrous stroma without atypia. Management included oral hygiene instruction, antiseptic gargle, oral debridement, nutritional correction, and oral antibiotics, which improved gingival condition.
Discussion and Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic difficulty of differentiating gingival PCG from malignancy and should be confirmed histopathologically. Although PCG is a reactive lesion, poor oral hygiene contributed to chronic inflammation, while malnutrition may compromise mucosal integrity and immune function. In pediatric patient with systemic vulnerabilities such as malnutrition and poor oral hygiene, gingival PCG may clinically mimic malignancy. Multidisciplinary approach, surgical excision, and histopathological confirmation are crucial for diagnostic accuracy and favorable outcomes.
Keywords: Gingiva, Malnutrition, Oral Hygiene, Pediatric, Plasma Cell Granuloma
Keywords:
Gingiva, antiepileptic activity, Oral Hygiene, Malnutrition, Pediatric, Plasma Cell GranulomaDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i8.7917References
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