[Central giant cell reparative granuloma of the jaw]

The authors report a series of 22 cases of central giant cells Granuloma of the jaws. There were 12 located in the maxilla, and 10 in the mandible. The majority of lesions were observed in patients under the age of 30 years, and occurs more often in females than in males, particularly in mandibular lesions. This lesion, which the pathogenesis still remains obscure, appears as radiolucency, well or ill-defined, uni or multilocular with trabeculations coursing through the lesion. Histologic study shows giant cells, fibroblastic cells, and foci of hemorrhage and osteoid tissue. The authors insist on the problem of differential diagnosis which can make a radiolucency with giant cells. It must be differentiated especially from giant cells tumor, which treatment and course are different. Finally, the authors underline a good prognosis of this lesion, which simple curettage is generally sufficient, and which recurrences remain rare.