Cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia pemphigus vulgaris: Literaturereview and report of a case

Gingival hyperplasia appears in 8% to 85% of patients treated with cyclospo rine. Most studies show an association between oral hygiene status and the prevalence and severity of this gingival overgrowth. Thus, besides attempti ng to substitute this drug with another whenever possible, treatment usuall y involves maintenance of strict oral hygiene coupled with scaling and root planing and removal of iatrogenic factors. Sometimes a second treatment ph ase involving periodontal surgery is necessary. Cyclosporine-induced gingiv al overgrowth has been mainly described in post-organ transplant patients. The present case describes, for the first time, a severe form of cyclospori ne-induced gingival overgrowth arising in a 15 year-old male with pemphigus vulgaris. Periodontal treatment included oral hygiene and seating and root planing under local anesthesia. There was a significant reduction in gingi val enlargement, as well as a reduction in plaque levels and inflammation C essation of drug administration, combined with continuous periodontal treat ment, brought further improvement. This successful conservative treatment o f cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth in a pemphigus vulgaris patient suggests that early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of these lesions may yield good response and reduce the need for periodontal surgery.