Congenital granular cell mass of the alveolar ridge in a newborn

Abstract

A 4-day-old female presented to the pediatric surgery unit with a large congenital, intraoral, lobulated mass causing difficulty in breast feeding, with a part of it appearing to undergo necrosis. Despite the ominous appearance of the mass, the girl was healthy, physically active, and her appetite was normal. A CT scan showed its contact with the upper alveolar ridge, its strict intraoral position, and also its independence from the tongue and other oral structures. Following resection of the mass, the pathology laboratory confirmed a diagnosis of congenital granular cell lesion (CGCL). In a follow-up after two weeks, the area on the upper alveolar ridge where the resected mass had originated has healed completely, and the girl has been healthy until the point of submitting this case report. There have been no reports of complications or recurrences of CGCL even with incomplete resection. The uneventful course of our case following surgery conforms with this finding. We recommend prompt resection of this rare lesion after clarifying its anatomical extension with the help of imaging techniques such as computed tomography. • The ominous appearance and large size of CGCL in some cases may cause great stress for the newborn's family and confusion to the attending healthcare providers who may not be familiar with this rare condition. • a CT scan should always be considered in cases of congenital intraoral lesions in order to investigate the lesion's full spatial extension and its relationship with oral structures such as the tongue and the palate, before deciding the surgical approach. • We recommend prompt resection of CGCL after clarifying its anatomical extension with the help of imaging techniques such as computed tomography.