OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the principle clinical features of the peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG), and to recognise clinical features of PGCG that are poorly defined.DESIGN: We reviewed retrospectivety 77 cases of PGCG from 62 patients, from our files with respect to incidence, sex, patient age, race, clinical symptoms and signs, radio‐graphic features and recurrence following excision.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results were largety in agreement with previous reports, although there is wide variation in the results published between series. In addition, some clinical features of PGCG are poorly defined. Little is known about the retative incidences of PGCG and central giant cell granuloma. An association between PGCG and tooth loss may exist, but is poorly defined, and not all PGCG that involve edentulous areas follow recent tooth loss. Information about PGCG recurrence after excision is limited, and does not necessarily follow incomplete excision. Despite the large number of reported cases of PGCG, clarification of some clinical features is required, and may hetp formulation and interpretation of future laboratory‐based research into this poorly understood les