title: Oral focal mucinosis of the gingiva: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral focal mucinosis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, where the connective tissue undergoes a focal myxoid degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 48-year-old patient who was referred for a firm, tender mass located on the gingiva of the left central mandibular incisor. The first clinical impression at examination was that of a periodontal abscess.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesion underwent a biopsy, and the final microscopic diagnosis was oral focal mucinosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It must be stressed that in most focal gingival lesions, a preoperative diagnosis can be almost impossible.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University of Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iezzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fioroni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piattelli
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017520:Mucinoses / Q000473:pathology*