Maxillofacial brown tumours: Series of 5 cases

Brown tumours are benign bone tumours secondary to hyperparathyroidism. The authors describe the various clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment modalities for maxillofacial brown tumours.

This multicentre retrospective study comprised 5 patients (four women and one man, between the ages of 29 and 70 years) with one or several maxillofacial brown tumours observed over a 16-year period from January 2000 to December 2016.

Four patients presented secondary hyperparathyroidism in a context of chronic renal failure, one patient presented primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma. Three patients presented a mandibular brown tumour, and two patients presented a maxillary brown tumour. The diagnosis was based on histological examination and laboratory tests. Brown tumours were treated either surgically or conservatively. A favourable outcome was observed in all cases.

Brown tumours are rare lesions. This diagnosis must be considered in a context of giant cell tumour associated with hyperparathyroidism. Brown tumours should be treated conservatively.