No evidence for either curettage or silver nitrate for pyogenic granulomas on the hand

March 1, 2000

April 11, 2001

Wendy Dollery, Specialist Registrar (Manchester Royal Infirmary)

Vince Choudrey, Manchester Royal Infirmary

In [an adult with a pyogenic granuloma on the hand] is [curettage better than cautery with silver nitrate] at [removing the lesion and preventing recurrence].

A 23 year old woman attends the emergency department with a strange growth on the end of her finger. She cut herself on glass some 6 weeks previously. Examination reveals a lesion with the appearance of a pyogenic granuloma. You wonder whether you should remove the lump surgically or chemically.

Medline 1966-12/98 using the OVID interface.

[exp granuloma OR granuloma$.mp OR granuloma, pyogenic OR granuloma, pyogenic.mp OR exp hemangioma, capillary OR capillary hemangioma$.mp] AND [exp hand OR exp thumb OR exp fingers OR hand$.mp OR thumb.mp OR finger$.mp OR digit$.mp]

45 papers found none of which were relevant.

There is no literature on the simple management of pyogenic granulomas of the hand. A multicentre trial of therapies for this condition is warranted.

There is no evidence to determine whether curettage or cautery with silver nitrate is a better treatment for simple pyogenic granuloma of the hand. Local advice should be followed.