Appearances can be deceptive – Innocuous swelling on the gingiva masking an aggressive lesion within the maxilla

Abstract

The central giant cell granuloma displays a varied biologic behaviour ranging from simple reactive lesions to aggressive neoplasms. The pathogenicity still remains enigmatic and needs to be differentiated from other giant cell containing lesions. Both maxilla and mandible are affected and 80% involve the region anterior to the first premolar region. CGCL arises centrally within bone, whereas PGCG is a gingival soft tissue lesion. Clinical and radiographic correlation is required to rule out a peripheral giant cell granuloma. The case described here was a rare presentation of a large epulis clinically with involvement of maxilla radiographically and was histologically diagnosed as a central giant cell lesion.