Osteomyelitis of the mandible with pseudotumoral manifestation

Abstract

Osteomyelitis of the mandible is an uncommon disease, somtimes with severe invalidating symptoms. Some cases can present as tumors of the jaw and are possibly seen in ENT practice. Objective. To present the diferential diagnosis of mandibular swellings of inflammatory origin. Material, method. Case presentation of a 9y child admitted and byopsied in the ent department. Results. Hystologic examination showed focal areas of osteolytic lesions along with moderate inflammatory cellular infiltration, all within newly formed bone. Under NSAI drugs, the symptomes were alleviated, the patient remaining under close follow-up. Conclusion. Osteomyelitis of the mandible is not always of infectious origin. The clinical examination, the imagistics and biopsy are key elements to correct diagnosis. Therapy is still under evaluation for noninfectious osteomyelitis.

Keywords

• osteomyelitis of the mandible
• child