Localized Reactive Lesions Of The Oral Cavity: A Review Of 246 Cases In Ibadan

Background and Aim: Localized reactive lesions (LRLs) of the oral cavity are tumor like lesions that result from chronic irritation of the oral mucosa and it is characterized by exuberant tissue response to irritants. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and the relative prevalence of LRLs of the oral cavity, diagnosed at the University College Hospital Ibadan, over a 21 year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of cases diagnosed as localized reactive lesions of the oral cavity obtained from the histopathological records of the Department of Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine, University College Hospital Ibadan between 1990 and 2011 was carried out. Demographic and clinical data such as age, gender, site of lesion, histopathological diagnosis and history of recurrences were extracted from the records and analyzed Results: LRLs accounted for approximately 14.2% of all biopsies seen within the study period. Pyogenic granuloma (PG) was the most common histopathological subtype accounting for 49.2% of the cases. The most common site of occurrence was the gingivae making up 76.4% of cases. There was a female preponderance of 1.5:1. The mean age at presentation for LRLs was 35.7±19.5 years while the peak age was the 3rd decade of life. All recurrences were PG of the gingivae in female patients only. Conclusion: The major findings in this study are similar to those of previous studies.