Oral Focal Mucinosis- Presenting as conventional epulis with unconventional histopathology- Revealed by Special stains

Abstract

Epulis like tumour is a common presentation in the oral cavity and histopathologic revelations range from fibrous hyperplasia to pyogenic granuloma. Oral focal mucinosis is a histopathologic diagnosis based on the presence of myxoid areas. It is a rare presentation in the oral cavity. Etiology is unknown, however the pathogenesis is related to the increased secretion of hyaluronic acid by the fibroblast or myxoid degeneration of connective tissue. Here we report a case of 35 year old woman presenting with a gingival growth in the lower front tooth region and the lesion was clinically diagnosed as fibroma and on histopathologic analysis diagnosed as Oral Focal Mucinosis. We present this case as it is commonly seen on the gingiva and palate and emphasize that histopathologic study is essential to confirm the clinical suspicion. This case contributes to the knowledge of the existing literature and also discusses the histopathologic differential diagnosis of Oral Focal Mucinosis.