A case is presented of a male patient affected by a giant cell lesion of the jaw, which had two recurrences in 8 years. Histologically, the lesion appeared to be composed of giant cells and mononuclear cells. Histoenzymatic study demonstrated acid phosphatase in both types of cells, and beta-glucuronidase in giant cells only. In some nuclei of giant cells, ultrastructural investigation showed filaments or microtubular structures of variable length, with irregular transverse periodicity, in addition to other expected findings. These characteristic features, found in giant cells of some giant cell tumors of the long bones, have never before been reported in a giant cell lesion of the jaw. The results are considered in order to assess the diagnosis, and the pathologic profiles of giant cell reparative granuloma, and of giant cell tumor are critically discussed.
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