Pyogenic granuloma

Alternate names

Lobular capillary hemangioma

Definition

Pyogenic granuloma are small, reddish bumps on the skin that bleed easily due to an abnormally high number of blood vessels. They typically occur on the hands, arms, or face.

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Cause

The exact cause of pyogenic granulomas is unknown. They often appear following an injury on the hands, arms, or face. The lesions are common in children and pregnant women. (A skin lesion is an area of the skin that is different than the surrounding skin.) Hormonal factors appear to play a role in the pregnancy-associated phenotype of this lesion. Certain variants of lobular capillary hemangioma have also shown an association with medication use.

• Systemic and topical retinoids
• Antiretrovirals
• Antineoplastics
• Immunosuppressive agents
• PG may arise spontaneously within or following laser treatment or cryotherapy to a preexisting vascular malformation, such as capillary (port-wine stain)or arteriovenous malformation.
• Other possible predisposing factors may include infections and preexisting vascular malformations.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of a pyrogenic granuloma are:

• A small red lump on the skin that bleeds easily
• Often found at the site of a recent injury
• Usually seen on hands, arms, and face, but they may develop in the mouth (most often in pregnant women)

Diagnosis

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam to diagnose this condition.
• Clinical diagnosis made based on history and classical clinical findings.
• The history should include inquiries into previous trauma, association with pregnancy, and a thorough review of medications.
• You may also need a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

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Treatment

Small pyogenic granulomas may go away suddenly. Larger bumps are treated with:

• Surgical shaving or excision
• Electrocautery (heat)
• Freezing
• A laser
• Creams applied to the skin (may not be as effective as surgery)

Prognosis

• Most pyogenic granulomas can be removed.
• A scar may remain after treatment.
• There is a high chance that the problem will come back if the whole lesion is not destroyed during treatment.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Pyogenic granuloma

Pyogenic granuloma is a rare disease.

Pyogenic granuloma Resources
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