Yellow Epulis: A Case Report

Abhinav Deshpande, Mala Baburaj

Abstract: Lipomas are defined as benign tumours of adipose tissue with unexplained pathogenesis and etiology. Lipomas and lipoma variants are common soft tissue tumors, but occur infrequently in the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral lipomas are slow enlarging, soft smooth surfaced mass of the submucosal tissues which may be sessile or pedunculated. The theories to explain the pathogenesis are heredity, fatty degeneration, hormonal, trauma, infection, metaplasia of muscle cells, lipoblastic embryonic cell nest in origin, chronic irritation and chromosomal aberrations. Histologically, classic lipomas are composed of mature adipose tissue with true lipoblasts showing no cellular atypia. Adipose tissues can be admixed with other mature benign mesenchymal tissues, thus necessitating sub-classification. This article highlights a report of an intra-oral swelling in the right buccal mucosa, its diagnosis, including use of fluorescent visualization, management and histologic examination of the same along with post operation follow up.

Keywords: Epulis, lipoma, Tissue fluoresence visualization