Soft Tissue Lesions

Question 1

What are the clinical features of a fibrous epulis?

Answer 1

Primarily a swelling arising from the gingivae
Hyperplastic response to irritation - overhang or subgingival calculus
Smooth surface, rounded swelling
Pink and pedunculated

Question 2

What are the clinical features of a fibroepithelial polyp?

Answer 2

Benign
Pink
Semi-pedunculated or sessile
Smooth surface
Most common site - buccal mucosa and inner surface of lip
Generally caused by frictional irritation or trauma

Question 3

What is a giant cell epulis?

Question 4

What is a haemangioma?

Answer 4

Benign tumour as a result of endothelial cell proliferation
Exophytic
Blue in colour

Question 5

What is a pregnancy epulis?

Answer 5

Histologically the same as a pyogenic granuloma
Localised, benign growth
Bleeds easily
Hormonal changes enhance response to tissue irritation

Question 6

What is a pyogenic granuloma?

Answer 6

Arises from failure of normal healing - overgrowth of granulation tissue
Benign
Bleeds easily
May be related to extraction sockets or traumatic soft tissue injuries
Red in colour

Question 7

What is a lipoma?

Answer 7

Benign growth of fat
Soft swelling
Pale yellow
Sessile

Question 8

What is a squamous cell papilloma?

Answer 8

Benign growth
Usually pedunculated
White surface
“Cauliflower” appearance
Similar to viral warts

Question 9

What is a leaf fibroma?

Answer 9

Benign growth from chronic irritation from denture
Would be round if not covered by denture but becomes flattened
Pedunculated

Question 10

What is a mucocele?

Answer 10

Mucus extravasion cyst - blockage in minor salivary duct
Saliva leaks into submucosal layer
Soft bluish swelling
Fluid-filled
Recurrent