Abstract

Background
Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) is an epithelial hyperplastic lesion caused by the human papillomavirus. It appears papular, or nodular lesions that could occur in all parts of the oral cavity. This study aims to present an analysis of 34 cases of focal epithelial hyperplasia in terms of clinical presentation and management.
Material and method
This was a retrospective study conducted over 7 years. After obtaining ethical approval from the institution’s research and ethics committee, all cases with histologically diagnosed FEH were included in the analysis. Patients’ demographics, onset, family history, location, diagnosis, treatment and, outcome were recorded. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 25.
Result
A total of 34 patients were included, amongst which were 2 (5.9%) males and 32 (94.1%) females. Patients were in the age range of 4-12 years with a mean±SD of 6.97±2.56 years. The majority of these children 27 (79.4%) were enrolled in formal education and, had no similar history of the disease in any of the patients' siblings. The range time of onset was 4-12 weeks with a mean±SD of 6.97±2.56 weeks. In the majority of the patients, 30 (88.2%) multiple sites of the oral cavity were involved. Chemical cauterization was done in 23 (67.6%) of the patients.
Conclusion
Focal epithelial hyperplasia is not an uncommon finding in our clime. It occurs exclusively in children and more frequently affects multiple sites of the oral cavity. Although chemical cauterization could enhance recovery, it has shown to be self-limiting.

Key words: Focal epithelial hyperplasia, Heck’s disease, cauterization