Eponyms related to genetic disorders associated with gingival enlargement; part I

Abstract

Gingival enlargement is common among patients and can be caused by a variety of etiological factors. The most common reason is poor oral hygiene and high bacterial load that leads to gingival inflammation and enlargement. Other implicated factors include systemic drugs, such as Phenytoin, Nifedipine, Verapamil and Cyclosporine. Some enlargements could be associated with other conditions such as puberty, pregnancy or diabetes or be a symptom of a systemic disease (leukemia, Wegener’s granulomatosis or sarcoidosis) [1]. There are also genetic disorders associated with gingival enlargement, which can be sorted into four groups, namely, Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis (HGF), lysosomal storage disorders, vascular disorders and syndromes characterized by the presence of characteristic dental abnormalities . Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis (HGF), represents a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive enlargement of the gingiva. It manifests itself by an enlarged gingival tissue covering teeth to various extents. HGF may appear as an isolated entity i.e. as autosomal dominant Gingival Fibromatosis, which has little consequence apart from a cosmetic problem and occasional associations with hypertrichosis and/or epilepsy, or as part of a syndrome [2-4]. In Table I [5-16], we shed some lights on eponymous syndroms related to gingival fibromatosis. EPONYMS RELATED TO GENETIC DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH GINGIVAL ENLARGEMENT; PART I