Benign vascular lesions of the lips: Diagnostic approach

Pyogenic Granuloma Diagnosis and Management: A Practical Review

Background

Pyogenic granuloma (PG), or lobular capillary hemangioma, poses a clinical challenge with its uncertain etiology and treatment options. Although the clinical features and prevalence of PGs are well established, definitive evidence-based treatments remain elusive. This practical review aims to illuminate the complexities of PG management by analyzing surgical interventions based on literature analysis.

Methods

A PubMed/Medline search of "pyogenic granuloma" and "surgery" yielded 1171 studies. Inclusion criteria targeted intervention-associated PG complications over 5% and treatment modalities, excluding nonclinical studies and topics unrelated to plastic and reconstructive surgery. Screening involved Oxford level of evidence, patient data extraction, complications, intervention types, success rates, sessions, follow-ups, and treatments.

Results

Thirty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies were retrospective (67.7%). Ten studies satisfied intervention-linked eruptions, primarily oculoplastic, whereas 21 investigated both surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities. Across interventions, 3579 patients (age: 34.2-85.7 years) were involved. Postsurgical PG complications averaged 15.1% and were treated predominantly with surgical excision, achieving nearly complete resolution. Surgical and nonsurgical treatment studies included 1233 patients (age: 3-46.5 years), demonstrating a 68.2% average resolution after a single session, with surgical excision exhibiting the highest success rate (96.2%) and minimal complications.

Conclusions

This practical review highlights the complexities of managing PG, emphasizing a spectrum of effective treatments and potential postoperative complications. Ophthalmologic procedures showed PG incidences of 9%-24.4%. Surgical excision proved highly effective, surpassing methods like lasers and injectables that exhibited varied success rates requiring multiple treatment sessions. Challenges included study diversity and varying evidence levels, warranting further comparative research for PG management strategies.

Application of Fractal Dimension and Texture Analysis to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Treatment of a Venous Lake in the Oral Mucosa Using a 980 nm Diode Laser-A Preliminary Study

Venous lake (VL) is a common lesion resulting from the enlargement of thin-walled veins surrounded by a thick wall of fibrous tissue. Photocoagulation is becoming one of the basic methods for treating small vascular lesions. The aim of this study was an application of texture analysis (TA) and fractal dimension analysis (FDA) to evaluate VL treatment. Twenty-three VLs were included in the study. We used a 980 nm diode laser, 6 W, 100 ms pulse mode with a 50% duty cycle. The total dose of energy was in a range from 80 J to 600 J. We used the difference of intensity algorithm for FDA and microcontrast and a co-occurrence matrix for TA. A complete therapeutic effect was achieved in 83%, and in 9%, scar formation was observed after three months. No healing was observed in 4%, and there was partial healing in 4%. No differences in FD were observed between the lesions after three months and the healthy mucosa. The fractal dimension and microcontrast of a vascular lesion are mutually coupled. FDA and TA is a useful and objective method of assessing treatment effects for venous lakes. The non-contact mode of the 980 nm diode laser is an effective and safe method for treating a VL.

Evaluation of sclerotherapy of benign oral vascular lesions with monoethanolamine oleate

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of sclerotherapy with monoethanolamine oleate (MEO) in a series of cases of benign oral vascular lesions (BOVL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical records and images were retrieved (2015-2019), and data regarding age, gender, location, size, symptomatology, treatment and outcomes of patients were collected. All patients were diagnosed according to the classification of International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies and received the same treatment protocol (MEO 0.05 g/mL). The collected data were submitted to descriptive analysis and Pearson's chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were treated. Most were female (70.3%) aged 9 to 88 years (median, 57.5 ± 17.4 years). Lower lip (54.1%) was the most affected site followed by buccal mucosa (16.2%). Thirty-two lesions were asymptomatic and 35.1% showed ≤ 0.5 cm in size. In 48.6% of the patients, only one application of MEO was performed. Complete regression occurred in 62.2% of cases, whereas 27% showed partial regression. One patient showed hypersensitivity during treatment. There was no significant difference between clinical outcome and age, anatomic site, size, and number of applications of MEO.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerotherapy with MEO is an acceptable and affordable treatment and can provide satisfactory results in BOVL, especially where other treatment options could compromise the esthetic aspects.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

As it is a non-invasive therapy leading, in most cases, to adequate clinical results, safety, and tolerability, sclerotherapy with MEO can be considered an effective treatment for BOVL.

A series of 33 older patients with lip venous lake treated by sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND

Venous lake lesion is a venous ectasia that can occur on the lips of older people. Although different therapies have been used, there is no guideline for treating this lesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether sclerotherapy is an effective and acceptable option for treatment of venous lake lesions of the lips in older patients.

METHODS

Medical records and images were retrieved from the archives of a geriatric dentistry clinic between 2005 and 2017. A total of 33 older patients treated with 5% ethanolamine oleate were included. Clinical information was selected and described.

RESULTS

The female gender was predominant (64%), and the patients' age ranged from 66 to 90 years. The majority of the patients were Caucasian (91%), and 82% were under treatment for hypertension. In 91% of the cases, the lesions were located on the lower lip and varied from 3 to 10 mm in diameter. A complaint period lasting longer than 2 years was reported by 58% of the patients. Color alteration was the most common type of esthetic complaint. Only one application of sclerotherapy was performed in 85% of the cases. For the remaining patients, two sessions were necessary. The total dose ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 ml. Complete regression of the lesions was observed in all cases. No complications or recurrences were reported.

CONCLUSION

Sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate is an effective, affordable, and predictable treatment for venous lake lesions of the lips in older patients.

Oral focal mucinosis of the hard palate and gingiva

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is an uncommon, asymptomatic, submucosal, slow-growing nodule representing a counterpart of the cutaneous focal mucinosis (CFM). OFM has a female predilection with the highest prevalence in the fifth decade of life. About 68% of OFMs occur in the gingiva and 14% in the palate. We present the case of a 41-year-old woman presenting a progressively growing mass on the palate, since the last 8 months. The diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of an unusual OFM with the clinical presentation involving the gingiva and hard palate. This case report discusses the clinical and histopathological differential diagnosis.

Pyogenic Granuloma - A Common Benign Vascular Tumor with Variable Clinical Presentation: New Findings and Treatment Options

Pyogenic granuloma is a common benign vascular tumour occurring in all ages. Both skin and mucous membranes can be affected. Of pathogenetic importance are trauma, BRAF mutations and probably herpes virus type 1, Orf virus and/or human papilloma virus type 2. The tumour consists of capillary proliferations, venules and fibromyxoid stroma. The development of a lesion occurs in three stages and bleeding is a common symptom. The tumour can mimic various other vascular lesions, solid tumours, and soft tissue infections. In recent years, targeted tumour therapies have become the most common cause of drug-induced pyogenic granulomas. The backbone of treatment is surgical procedures including laser therapy. New developments in medical drug therapy include topical and systemic beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists timolol and propranolol. Drug therapy is an alternative for young children, ocular and periungual pyogenic granuloma.