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