Congenital granular cell epulis (CGCE) is a rare tumor of gingiva that is exclusive to newborns, has marked female predominance, and is rarely associated with other abnormalities. Although benign in behavior, CGCE can be lethal by obstruction of respiration and/or deglutition and can require a multidisciplinary team of specialist at birth for survival of an otherwise normal infant. Histologically, CGCE resembles granular cell tumor (GCT), but unlike GCT, which is Schwannian-derived, derivation of CGCE remains an enigma, largely because of its low prevalence. This study presents 24 new cases of CGCE, the largest series since the original description 150 years ago and permits detailed study of homogeneity of cases diagnosed as CGCE as well as detailed comparisons of CGCE with GCT by clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies. The data show homogeneity within the CGCE cases, more differences than similarities between CGCE and GCT, and no immunohistochemical staining for common placental proteins/hormones in CGCE. The findings support a primitive mesenchymal cell origin, and a progressive degenerative process in CGCE, rather than neoplasia. Prenatal detection of this lesion is important to facilitate adequate preparations for support of these infants during labor and delivery.
Keywords: Epulis; granular cell tumor; immunochemistry; pathology; ultrastructure.