Anchal Varshney, Manish Bhargava, Kapila Chakarvarty, Kumar Rakshak Anand, Pratijya Raj
Lymphangiomas are hamartomatous tumors of lymphatic vessels that are benign in nature. This developmental deformity results from sequestration of lymphatic tissue, which is separated from the rest of the lymphatic system. Lymphangiomas most commonly occur in the head and neck region, representing nearly 75% of all cases, with about half of the lesions being present at birth. Lymphangioma of the gingiva presents as asymptomatic gingival growth. Histopathologically, it consists of numerous dilated lymphatics, lined by thin endothelial cells, and the spaces contain proteinaceous fluid, i.e. lymph. Surgical excision is considered the preferred treatment modality. In addition to highlighting the usefulness of immunohistochemical labeling of D2-40, a lymphatic endothelium marker, to distinguish the endothelial lining of lymphatic vessels from that of blood vessels, the authors describe a rare case of gingival lymphangioma in a 74-year-old male patient. Even though lymphangiomas in the oral cavity are uncommon, doctors should take them into consideration in order to start treatment as soon as possible and prevent consequences.