JOURNAL OF CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY, vol.21, no.5, pp.1575-1577, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Cherubism is a rare, nonneoplastic, fibro-osseous disease. It is an autosomal-dominant disorder in which the normal bone is replaced by cellular fibrous tissue and immature bone. It is genetically inherited, although many nonfamilial cases have been reported. Cherubism is a bone disease clinically characterized by bilateral, painless enlargements of the jaws. The mandible is the most severely affected craniofacial component, in which uncontrolled growth of the malady deteriorates the aesthetic balance of the face. A malocclusive and abnormal dentition, worse in the mandible, can be seen. Histopathologically, numerous randomly distributed multinucleated giant cells and vascular spaces within a fibrous connective tissue stroma with or without eosinophilic collagen perivascular cuffing were apparent. The appearance of the affected children is normal at birth. Between the ages of 2 and 7 years, swellings within the mandibular body or tuberosities of maxilla appear. This article relates to a postpubertal nonfamilial cherubism case that was noticed with multiple radiolucencies in radiographic examination and its effects on teeth.