Strawberry gingivitis as the first presenting sign of wegener's granulomatosis: report of a case

• Main Authors: Siar CH, Yeo KB, Nakano K, Nagatsuka H, Tsujigiwa H, Tomida M, Ng KH, Kawakami T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-07-01
• Series: European Journal of Medical Research
• Subjects: Wegener's granulomatosis; strawberry gingivitis; oral lesion; systemic disease
• Online Access: http://www.eurjmedres.com/content/16/7/331

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare multi-system disease characterized by the classic triad of necrotizing granulomas affecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts, disseminated vasculitis and glomerulonephritis. Oral lesions as a presenting feature are only encountered in 2% of these cases. Hyperplastic gingival lesions or strawberry gingivitis, is a characteristic sign of Wegener's granulomatosis. The latter consists of reddish-purple exophytic gingival swellings with petechial haemorrhages thus resembling strawberries. Recognition of this feature is of utmost importance for timely diagnosis and definitive management of this potentially fatal disease. A case of strawberry gingivitis as the first presenting sign of Wegener's granulomatosis affecting a 50-year-old Malay male is reported here. The differential diagnosis of red lesions that may present in the gingiva is discussed.</p>