Granuloma - Causes And Symptoms Of Granulomas, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Granuloma

Causes and symptoms of granulomas, treatment and prevention

Definition of granulomas

A granuloma is a focal growth (which has an inflammatory origin) of connective tissue cells that appear in the form of small nodules. The etiology is varied. Distinguish between non-infectious and infectious granulomas, as well as granulomas of unknown etiology.

Granuloma causes

Infectious granulomas are formed in tularemia, rabies, typhoid and typhus, viral encephalitis, tuberculosis, rheumatism, syphilis and some other diseases. Non-infectious granulomas occur during drug exposure (oleogranulomatous disease, granulomatous hepatitis), occupational dust diseases (byssinosis, asbestosis, talcosis and others). They also appear around foreign bodies. Granulomas in Horton and Crohn's diseases, sarcoidosis are usually attributed to granulomas of unknown etiology.

In dental practice, there is such a thing as a tooth granuloma, which is a localized area of inflamed tissue (a small purulent nodule or sac) in the area of the tooth root. This area is a focus of infection and can provoke progression of inflammatory processes in the root of the tooth. If the granuloma of the tooth is not cured in time, then, despite its relatively small size, it can lead to serious complications. Periodontitis is among the main reasons leading to the formation of dental root granulomas.

Venereal granuloma belongs to a number of classic venereal diseases by doctors. In most cases, it is transmitted sexually. There is also a small percentage of the likelihood of infection through close household contact, but this is unlikely - the bacterium is almost unable to exist outside the human body. This disease manifests itself as a pink-colored papule, later the papule is transformed into an ulcer.

Granuloma symptoms

The incubation period of venereal granuloma can last from one day to almost three months. On average, this period is about thirty days. The duration of this period depends on the activity of the bacteria and on the state of the infected person's immune system. Only after the end of the incubation period do the first symptoms appear in the form of small bright red spots. Then a pink nodule appears, the papule grows in breadth, after two weeks reaching a diameter of about four centimeters.

A papule with progression of venereal granuloma will gradually transform into a soft ulcer that has a velvety surface and a fleshy red color. This formation is characterized by a very unpleasant odor. The genitals in most cases are affected in the perineum and on the inner thigh, in the pubic region. The face, neck, and oral cavity can also be affected.

A tooth granuloma can develop almost asymptomatically for a long time. But over time, the disease will manifest itself with certain symptoms: severe pain that occurs when eating solid food or pressing on the tooth, reddening of the gums and swelling, darkening of the tooth. The manifestation of symptoms of granuloma and its exacerbation can be triggered by various reasons: hard mental or physical work, stress, colds, exposure to low temperatures for a long time.

Diagnostics of the granuloma

For a competent diagnosis of a venereal granuloma, a venereologist in a short time should exclude from the list other venereal diseases with similar symptoms: syphilis, chancre, etc. For this, studies of the genitals of partners are carried out and various tests are carried out. In addition, microscopic examinations are carried out, and in the case of an unclear picture of the disease, other methods can be used.

It is not always possible to reveal a dental granuloma during a preventive examination with a doctor (especially due to its small size and the absence of obvious manifestations). By external signs, it is quite difficult to detect a granuloma, since the affected tooth can hardly differ from healthy adjacent teeth. It is possible to assume a granuloma when clinical symptoms appear, which indicate its suppuration or growth. An accurate diagnosis can be made with an x-ray.

Radiovisiography also makes it possible to establish a dental granuloma.

Treatment and prevention of granulomas

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate a venereal granuloma - this can lead to the transition of the disease into a chronic form. To eliminate granulomas, you need to contact a competent doctor who will prescribe an appropriate course of treatment.

Tooth granuloma can develop asymptomatically for a long time. In many cases, dental root granuloma is diagnosed by chance, when X-rays are taken during the treatment of other diseases. As a result, it is very important to make regular preventive visits to the dentist - this will allow either to prevent tooth granuloma, or to detect it in time and interrupt its development.

To date, there are several effective ways to treat this disease, but it is not always possible to save a tooth. The selection of a treatment technique (operative or conservative) is based on an assessment of the condition of dental tissues, possible complications of the disease, the size of the granuloma and other factors. Conservative treatment methods consist in filling the cavity with a variety of filling materials, which are introduced through the root canal.

Also, with the help of antibiotic therapy, the infection is eliminated. Until recently, the surgical method of treatment consisted exclusively of tooth extraction. Nowadays, more sparing operations are carried out, consisting in hemisection of the tooth or resection of the root apex.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".