Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible--a case report

Aneurysmal bone cysts originating in the craniofacial region have seldom been reported in Taiwan. A case of aneurysmal bone cyst arising in the right mandible of a 15-year-old Chinese boy was presented with both the roentgenographic and microscopic findings. In view of the high recurrent rate and the large destructive mandibular lesion, segmental resection with immediate bone grafting for reconstruction and a conscientious follow up regimen was employed. The etiology and pathogenesis of this interesting lesion remained unclear but several theories were reviewed and the differential diagnosis of this lesion was also discussed. Furthermore, immunoperoxidase staining for Factor VIII related antigen was performed to help differentiate between the aneurysmal bone cyst and a central hemangioma and then to elucidate the pathogenesis of the former.