Gorham's disease: A diagnostic challenge

Gorham's disease is a rare disorder of uncertain etiology characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis of one or more skeletal bones. Till date, less than 200 cases have been reported in the international literature with about 51 cases involving the maxillofacial site. The radiographic findings associated with Gorham's disease are particularly dramatic, as in some cases a complete resorption of the involved bone can occur, leading to the definition of phantom bone or disappearing bone disease. The purpose of this review is to make our community aware of this rare entity and to discuss the etiopathology, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, histopathology, differential diagnoses and treatment modalities for patients with vanishing bone disease.