Giant Cells and Giant Cell Lesions of Oral Cavity

Multinucleated giant cells are morphologically characterized by the presence of multiple nuclei dispersed in cytoplasm. Foreign body giant cells, Langhans giant cells, Touton giant cells, tumour giant cells, are various types of giant cells apart from the miscellaneous types of giant cells such as Aschoff cells of rheumatic nodule and Reed Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Multinucleated cells are commonly encountered in oral and maxillofacial lesions. A number of cystic, metabolic, osteodystrophy, microbial, tumour and tumour like lesions of the oral cavity present with characteristic giant cell lesions; which makes their diagnosis and study simpler. We have attempted to classify and review the common giant cells and giant cell lesions of the oral cavity, giving a brief account of their clinical, histological and diagnostic features, along with their recent treatment modalities.