Oral Focal Mucinosis of the Lingual Gingiva in an Adolescent: A Case Report of an Uncommon Presentation With a Review of the Literature

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is a benign lesion of the oral cavity. It is usually a slow-growing, painless nodular swelling commonly located on the gingiva. It has non-specific clinical features and is often confused with reactive lesions of the gingiva. It is rarely reported among adolescents. An 11-year-old girl reported with a firm, painless nodular swelling on the lingual gingiva of the lower jaw for six months. Growth was excised surgically, and histopathological examination was performed using H&E stain. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of a myxoid stroma with spindle-shaped stellate fibroblasts and plenty of mucin, which confirmed the diagnosis of OFM. Healing was uneventful, and 12 months of follow-up did not report any recurrence. This case highlights the need to include OFM as a differential diagnosis of gingival swellings presented in adolescents. Clinicians should take OFM into account when making a differential diagnosis of gingival swellings to facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.