Gingival pyogenic granuloma developing during isotretinoin treatment

Abstract

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a rare side effect of isotretinoin therapy. Oral pyogenic granuloma developing during isotretinoin treatment has not been reported so far. A 22-old-male patient, who had been given oral isotretinoin treatment for severe nodular acne, was admitted with the complaint of a painless and red nodule in his lower gum at the end of the second month of the treatment. The patient did not report any history of trauma or dental treatment. Dermatologic examination revealed a hemorrhagic nodule measuring 1.5x1 cm in size in the lower gums of the cutting and canine teeth. The lesion was excised completely. Histopathological examination disclosed acanthosis and hyperkeratosis in epidermis, subepidermal vascular proliferation, edema, and sparsely scattered inflammatory cell groups. The mechanism by which isotretinoin causes pyogenic granulomas is not exactly known. It should be considered that this rare side effect can be gingival in patients taking isotretinoin and the regular oral examination should not be neglected.