Bilateral Radiolucencies of the Posterior Mandible:
A Clinicopathologic Review
Case Presentation
A 53 year old African American male is referred for pathology consultation from an outside dental office to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. The patient’ s chief complaint is jaw pain of several months duration, which is been getting worse. A panoramic radiograph is obtained, and it reveals bilateral radiolucencies of the posterior mandible, inferior to the inferior alveolar nerve canal( IANC). The lesion present in the left posterior mandible is a well-defined, unilocular radiolucency with sclerotic rimming directly inferior to the IANC( Figure 1). The lesion abuts, but does not invade into the canal. The lesion in the right posterior mandible is unilocular, with slightly less well-defined borders and lacks a sclerotic rim. It is inferior to the area of the IANC and extends from the body of the mandible towards the ramus( Figure 1). The patient denies pain, swelling, and paresthesia associated with the areas. He has no documented medical conditions, and he does not see a doctor regularly. His past medical history is significant for several previous orthopedic fractures. He is allergic to amoxicillin. He is currently taking oxycodone for his recently broken leg. His social history is significant for social alcohol use and negative for tobacco usage.
Authors
Tessie Buraczewski DMD
Resident, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center tmb55 @ pitt. edu
What is the most likely diagnosis of the bilateral radiolucencies? |
A. |
Traumatic neuroma |
B. |
Stafne defect |
C. |
Idiopathic bone cavity |
D. |
Keratocystic odontogenic tumor |
Elizabeth A. Bilodeau DMD, MD, MSEd
Associate Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
Anitha Potluri BDS, DMD, MDsc
Associate Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
Address:
G-132, 3501 Terrace Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Figure 1. A panoramic radiograph that depicts bilateral radiolucencies near the angle of the mandible and below the inferior alveolar nerve.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 29