Radiographic findings in Langerhans' cell disease affecting the mandible

The radiographic features of histopathologically diagnosed mandibular Langerhans' cell disease are described for 29 cases of the condition. We divided the patients into two groups: adults (age 27 to 60 years) and juveniles (age 1.5 to 15 years). A characteristic sign in juveniles was an osteolytic lesion with an uneven margin and either a continuous or discontinuous periosteal reaction. Because of the wide variability in radiographic presentation in adults, it was very difficult to differentiate this from other lesions in adults on the basis of radiologic criteria.