Severe mucosal hyperplasia of the edentulous maxilla associated with immunosuppressant therapy: A clinical report
Cyclosporin is a selective immunosuppressant that is used in organ transplant surgery in order to prevent graft rejection. One of the drug's many side effects is gingival overgrowth. This condition has been reported in approximately one-third of the dentate transplant patients taking cyclosporin. Drug-associated overgrowth of masticatory mucosa in edentulous patients is rare. This is a case report of one such case.
A 48-year-old man who had been edentulous for one year was referred to the dental department with a chief complaint of discomfort adjusting to a new denture. The patient had undergone a renal transplant and was receiving 175 mg of cyclosporin per day and 120 mg of nicardipine per day. The denture-bearing area of the maxilla was covered by abundant, inflamed, overgrown tissue that consisted of pedunculated polypoid or papillary masses. The overgrowth covered all of the hard palate and extended onto the buccal alveolar mucosa. Heavy growths of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were isolated from the areas of tissue overgrowth. Treatment involved instruction in denture hygiene and application of an antifungal gel. Biopsy was consistent with chronically inflamed hyperplastic fibrous tissue. The patient will be monitored for his ability to retain the denture. [M.J.D.]
Thomason, J.M., R.A. Seymour, and J.V. Soames, J Prosth Dent, 72:1, 1994