Pyogenic granuloma following oculoplastic procedures: an imbalance in angiogenesis regulation?

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic granuloma is a vasoproliferative inflammatory response composed of granulation tissue. The pathogenesis is not entirely clear. We describe a series of patients with pyogenic granulomas occurring following common oculoplastic procedures and propose a common etiology.

METHODS

Sixteen cases of pyogenic granuloma that occurred after various oculoplastic procedures from 1991 to 2000 were collected from the files of two oculoplastic surgeons.

RESULTS

Pyogenic granulomas were found to occur at surgical and nonsurgical sites associated with tissue irritation or inflammation or both.

INTERPRETATION: Capillaries are a predominant component of wound healing and pyogenic granulomas. The growth and development of new capillaries follows an orderly sequence of events that is highly regulated by a variety of angiogenic factors. We postulate an imbalance in angiogenesis regulation as the common pathway for pyogenic granuloma development.