Congenital epulis in the newborn, review of the literature and a case report.

Congenital epulis (CE) is a rare tumor of the newborn, also known as granular cell tumor or congenital gingival granular cell tumor because of its histologic features. Neumann first described CE in 1871. Epulis is seen only in the newborn and is a different entity from other granular cell tumors. CE has a female predilection with 8:1 ratio. Epulis is most frequently located on the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge and usually occurs as a single mass although 10% cases occur as multiple. CE clinically appears as a pedunculated protuberant mass, which may interfere with respiration or feeding. In cases with large lesions mechanical oral and nasal obstruction can impair fetal deglutition and neonatal respiratory efforts resulting in polyhydramnios prenatally or respiratory impairment postnatally. The exact histiogenesis is still uncertain. The recommended treatment is prompt surgical resection. Recurrences of the tumor and damage to future dentition have not been reported. Spontaneous regression of congenital epulis has been reported in a few cases. However, surgical excision is generally indicated due to interference with feeding or respiration. We report a female neonate with congenital multiple tumors in the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge and review the relevant literature. The tumors were resected by surgical excision. The intraoperative and postoperative course was uneventful. Follow-up for 6 months did not show recurrence.