title: Analysis of gingival biopsies in the Gujarati population: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biopsy is an important diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis of lesions ranging from simple non-neoplastic, tumor-like lesions to malignancies, and is often the only way to diagnose oral lesions and diseases. The gingiva is the most common site for some kind of irritation or low-grade injury, resulting in localized overgrowths that are considered to be reactive and non-neoplastic lesions. This aim of this study is to analyze the frequency and distribution of gingival lesions in the Gujarati population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, gingival biopsies submitted for a period of five years were included. Microscopic slides of all the cases were reviewed by two observers for confirmation of the diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 106 cases of gingival biopsies, the most frequent category of lesions encountered was the non-neoplastic category, which accounted for 73.58% of the cases. Both benign and malignant neoplasms constituted 26.42% of the cases. Among the non-neoplastic lesions, Pyogenic granuloma was the most frequent lesion (38.46%), followed by fibrous hyperplasia (20.51%), inflammatory hyperplasia (19.23%), and Epulis (8.97%). Neoplasms accounted for 26.42% of the gingival biopsies (92.85% benign and 7.15% malignant). Among the benign neoplastic lesions, Fibroma (30.76%) and Fibrolipoma (26.92%) were the most frequent, followed by peripheral ossifying fibroma (23.08%) and peripheral giant cell granuloma (11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is difficult to compare studies carried out in various countries due to differences in people's attitudes toward oral health and the accessibility of various population groups to biopsy services. Nevertheless, this study has provided some information about the frequency and distribution of biopsied gingival lesions in the Gujarati population over a period of five years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, KM Shah Dental College and Hospital, Pipariya, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Bhari Sharanesha
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Manjunatha
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sutariya
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nagamahita
authors.forename: Bhavik
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dholia
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000473:pathology; D018214:Fibroma, Ossifying / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology*; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D006101:Granuloma, Giant Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D007194:India; D008067:Lipoma / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult