Gingival swelling associated with hypoplasminogenemia.

A middle-aged woman presented for evaluation of gingival swelling. She was previously diagnosed with hypoplasminogenemia and current plasminogen level was 29% (reference value: 78–130%). Intraoral examination revealed swelling of the right maxillary gingiva (Figure 1). Biopsy with routine histopathologic analysis revealed fibrinoid deposits and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate within the lamina propria, consistent with hypoplasminogenemia (Figure 2).

Figure 1

Swelling of the right anterior maxillary gingiva.

Figure 2

Amorphous fibrinoid deposits (*) in the gingival lamina propria. (A) Hematoxylin–eosin (magnification ×100), (B) trichrome (magnification ×40).

Hypoplasminogenemia (type 1 plasminogen deficiency) is commonly associated with ligneous conjunctivitis and ligneous gingivitis.1, 2, 3 An oral mucosal biopsy can aid in the diagnosis of this rare condition as histopathologic evidence of fibrin deposition is highly suggestive of hypoplasminogenemia.2, 3

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.