Bone scintigraphy and panoramic radiography in deciding the extent of bone resection in benign jaw lesions

To find out the value of correlating radiographic and scintigraphic imaging for defining the extent and nature of benign jaw lesions (BJL).

Twenty patients with histologically proven benign lesions of the jaws were investigated pre-operatively by panoramic radiography (PR) and bone scintigraphy (BS). To test the efficacy of combination of these two imaging modalities, their results were compared with intra-operative and histopathological findings.

Most of the benign lesions presented radiographically as well-defined bone destructions with fine sclerotic rims. Such lesions were found to be silent on scintigraphs and the extent of radionuclide uptake was same as radiographically visible extent of bone involvement. However, aggressive lesions showed ill-defined bone destructions without sclerotic rims on radiographs and their scintigraphic uptake correctly exceeded the radiographic extent of the bone involvement.

The efficacy of combination of both complementary imagings is rewarding in defining the extent of the BJL, especially when radiographic margins are not so well defined. So, that surgical excisions will be complete and the possibility recurrences is reduced.