Congenital Epulis: A Case and Review of the Literature

Congenital epulis is an unusual benign oral mucosal lesion in newborns with no tendency to recur after excision. The histogenesis of the lesion is unknown, but it is believed to be of mesenchymal origin. We describe a case of congenital epulis (20x10 mm) in the mandibular gingiva of a newborn. The mass, which was smooth-surfaced and pedunculated with a healthy color, was surgically removed at 5 months post-birth. Histologically, the tumor consisted mainly of large eosinophilic granular cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed intense staining for vimentin, STRO-1, and CD44, suggesting that it was derived from mesenchymal cells. The literature and immunohistochemical profile of congenital epulis are also discussed.