Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), formerly known as histiocytosis X, is characterized by cell proliferation. The leading clinical symptom of LCH within mandibular and maxillary bones is pain and it may resemble periodontal diseases, apical cysts, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, vascular malformation, osteomyelitys, bone metastasis and malignancies. In this paper we present the case of a mandibular histiocytosis misdiagnosed as a reparative giant cell granuloma at the first and as an aggressive giant cell tumor at the second biopsy. Definitive diagnosis was made only after examination of surgical specimens following hemimandibulectomy.
AzouzEMSaigalGRodriguezMMPoddaA. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis: Pathology, imaging and treatment of skeletal involvement. Pediatr Radiol2005; 35:103–15.
2.
JundtG. Central giant cell lesion. In: BarnesLEvesonJWReichertPSidranskyD, editors. World health organization classification of tumors. Pathology and genetics. Head and neck tumors. Lyon: IARC Press; 2005. p. 324.
3.
SchollRJKellertHMNeumannDPLurieAG. Cysts and cystic lesions of the mandible: Clinical and radiologic-histopathologic review. Radiographics1999; 19(5): 1107–24.
4.
ChuongRKabanLBKozakewichHPerez-AtaydeA. Giant cell lesions of the the jaws: A clinicopathologic study. J Oral Maxillofac Surg1986; 44:708.
5.
JonesLRTothBBCangirA. Treatment for solitary eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible by steroid injection: Report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg1989; 47:306–9.
6.
EckardtA.SchultzeA.Maxillofacial manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A clinical and therapeutic analysis of 10 patients. Oral Oncology2003; 39:687–94.
7.
Madrigal-Martínez-PeredaCGuerrero-RodríguezVGuisado-MoyaBMeniz-GarcíaC. Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Literature review and descriptive analysis of oral manifestations. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal2009; 14:E222–8.
8.
MuramatsuTHallGLHashimotoS. Clinico-Pathologic Conference: Case 4. Head and Neck Pathol2010; 4:343–6.
9.
LiebermannPHSteinmannRMSmithJGarin-ChesaPUrmacherCSperberM. Langerhans cell (eosinophilic) granulomatosis. A clinicopathologic study encompassing 50 years. Am J Surg Pathol1996; 20:519–52.
10.
EsenADolanmazDKalayciAGünhanOAvundukMC. Treatment of localized Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the mandible with intralesional steroid injection: Report of a case. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod2010; 109:e53–e58.
11.
de MarcosJA GarcíaFerrerA DeanGranadosF Alamillos. Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the maxillofacial area in adults. Report of three cases. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal2007; 12:E145–50.
12.
PacinoGASerratARedondoLMVerrierA. Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Clinical diagnostic features and current concepts. Med Oral1999; 4:607–18.
13.
RoveloMOKimRMascarenhasLHammoudehJUrataMM. Recurrent and refractory giant cell tumor of the jaw. J Craniofac Surg2009; 20(6):2245–8.
