Traumatic tongue fibroma treated with individualized homeopathic remedies: A case report with a brief literature review

Abstract

Reactive hyperplastic lesions are commonly seen in the oral cavity as a result of chronic irritation by plaque, calculus, overhanging margins, trauma and dental appliances. Tongue fibroma represents a reactive focal fibrous hyperplasia due to recurrent trauma or local irritation. It can possibly occur at any age group from almost any soft tissue site, buccal mucosa tongue and gingival where, the buccal mucosa is more commonly involved. Over the past few years several studies have reported an increased burden of oral-exophytic lesions in different parts of the world. In this case, a patient complained of a swelling (12mm x 9mm) on the right side dorso-lateral aspect of his tongue, which bled frequently when he ate solid foods and/or was touched. Because the patient refused to undergo conventional treatment through surgery and a biopsy of the lesion, he chose homeopathy as an alternate therapy option. Relevant history taking and careful clinical examination led us to diagnose the lesion as traumatic tongue fibroma. The case was treated with homeopathic medications, Arnica Montana 200C, Acid Nitric 1000C and Sulphur 200C and a complete remission of the lesion was achieved. From the literature survey, we did not encounter any other record of homeopathic cure of tongue fibroma published in any peer-reviewed journal.