Multinucleated giant cells are commonly encountered in histopathology and are mostly a clue to diagnosis but sometimes pose a diagnostic confusion. The present study elucidates a case series of giant cell lesions (GCL) with emphasis on differential diagnosis and other investigations that contribute towards arriving at a final diagnosis. We also intended to devise an algorithmic approach for the accurate pathological characterization of these lesions. All the cases reported in the department from January 2018 to June 2019 were reviewed by pathologists and the total number of lesions where giant cells were diagnostic or an additional finding were included in this study. Twenty-five cases out of 1000 biopsies were diagnosed based on giant cell morphology. The most frequent lesions were central giant cell granuloma, followed by cherubism, hyperparathyroidism, peripheral giant cell granuloma, tuberculosis, and hybrid lesion. A systematic approach towards differential diagnosis for such cases and a diagnostic algorithm was devised which is being followed as per the reported spectrum of GCL. Radiological, serology, and sometimes ancillary staining techniques are essential for the accurate histopathological diagnosis of giant cell lesions. Our diagnostic algorithm helps narrow down the spectrum of investigations necessary to characterize these lesions, enabling for a swifter and more confident identification of the pathologies.
Background:
This study aims to describe the demographics and clinicopathological characteristics of the cases of plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) reported in our institute, supported by a review of pertinent literature. Further, we investigated the role of the cluster of differentiation CD138, Ki67, CD56, and CD117 immunoexpression in the differential diagnosis of PCG from plasma cell dyscrasias.
Materials and Methods:
All histopathologically confirmed cases of PCG, whose relevant details could be obtained, were included in this study. They were subjected to panel of immunohistochemical markers to exclude plasma cell malignancies. Further, published English literature for PCG since 1970–2020 was reviewed.
Results:
Nine histopathologically confirmed cases of PCG, were retrieved from the archives of our department. The cases comprised 3 males and 6 females with their ages ranging between 14 and 82 years. The plasma cells exhibited equivocal reactivity for kappa and lambda; and immunonegativity for CD56, CD117 with low Ki67 proliferation index. Published literature in English showed 43 cases of PCG were predominantly female; the diffuse involvement of maxilla and mandible was a common finding.
Conclusion:
In addition to kappa lambda reactivity, an immunoprofile of CD138, Ki67, CD56, and CD117 may be used as a diagnostic adjunct to exclude malignant plasma cell lesions in confusing cases.
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