Histochemical and polarization microscopic study of two cases of vegetable/pulse granuloma

Vegetable granuloma (VG) or pulse granuloma (PG) results from the implantation of food particles of plant or vegetable origin. It is usually seen in the periapical or in the sulcus areas. These lesions have been described as a distinct entity and classified into central and peripheral lesions according to the location. Central lesions are asymptomatic, whereas peripheral lesions present as painless sub-mucosal swellings. Many authors have postulated that food particles in VG or PG get implanted and are rapidly digested, and sometimes partly get altered by host responses. The cellulose part of plant foods being indigestible persists in the form of hyaline material, whereas the starch matter gets digested. This cellulose moiety invokes chronic granulomatous response.