Peripheral and Central Giant Cell Lesions in Children: Institutional Experience at Subharti Dental College and Hospital

INTRODUCTION: Giant cell lesions (GCG) are a group of varied lesions that contain a multitude of multinucleated, osteoclast like giant cells within connective tissue stroma. These include giant cell granulomas which may be central (CGCG), if they lie within the jaw bone, or, peripheral (PGCG) if they lie within the soft tissue. Giant cell granulomas comprised 9.29% of all oral lesions. This case series comprises of 5 giant cell lesions in children between the ages of 4 to 12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who were diagnosed with giant cell lesions and treated over a period of 10 years (from August 2004 to August 2014) at Subharti Dental College and Hospital, Meerut, India. RESULTS: A total of 5 giant cell lesions were identified in this case series, of which 2 cases were diagnosed as PGCG and 3 cases as CGCG. Surgical excision and curettage was performed for 2 peripheral lesions under local anesthesia while 1 central lesion was excised under general anesthesia. Two central lesions were treated with a non-surgical approach using intralesional corticosteroid. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that a correct diagnosis and complete surgical excision with curettage is effective in complete management of oral giant cell lesions in the pediatric age group.