Giant cell reparative granuloma: a comparative clinicopathologic study of lesions in gnathic and extragnathic sites

This study attempts to define the clinicopathologic aspects of extragnathic giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) by contrasting it with the much better recognized GCRG of jaw bones and highlights the manifestations that are unique to the extragnathic localization. Ninety-one GCRGs of 89 patients, 22 in jaw bones and 69 in the extragnathic bones, were examined. Females were affected twice as frequently as males in both groups. The age distribution of extragnathic GCRGs overlaps that of gnathic counterparts. Small bones of the hands (17 lesions) and feet (16 lesions) were the most common sites for extragnathic lesions. The radiographic findings were nonspecific. Histology of extragnathic lesions was closely similar to that of lesions affecting the jaw. These giant cell lesions should be distinguished from giant cell tumors. Int J Surg Pathol 9(3):189-200, 2001