title: Ligneous periodontal lesions in a young child with severe plasminogen deficiency: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ligneous periodontitis or gingivitis is a rare periodontal disorder, secondary to plasminogen deficiency, characterised by nodular gingival enlargements and progressive destructive membranous periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the early and successful dental management of a case of ligneous gingivitis secondary to plasminogen deficiency in a 6-year- old girl. The patient was referred because of a nodular asymptomatic gingival hypertrophy with ulceration around the eruption site of tooth 36, without any detectable tooth mobility. After non-surgical management of the lesion and strict follow-up, the first molar erupted completely, with no signs of bone and periodontal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ulcerated periodontal lesions could represent the ?rst signs of plasminogen deficiency. The early treatment is essential in preventing infections and the onset of a destructive periodontitis. The paediatric dentist may play a key role in early diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Dentistry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galeotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uomo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Antò
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valletta
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Dentistry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vittucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Rare Diseases and Genetic Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macchiaiolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Rare Diseases and Genetic Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartuli
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000172:deficiency*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
chemical_list: D010958:Plasminogen