Search

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a rare nonepithelial benign tumor arising from the odontogenic mesenchymal tissue in the jawbone. OFs are topographically categorized into 2 types, the central type and peripheral type, and are histopathologically divided into the epithelium-poor type and epithelium-rich type. The radiological findings of central OF commonly include a uni- or multilocular radiolucent area with a well-defined margin, which are similar to those of cysts and other benign tumors of the jawbone. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish OF from these jawbone lesions on radiographs because of their noncharacteristic radiological findings. In this article, we report the cases of 2 patients with central OF who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) examinations and describe the usefulness of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging for diagnosing OF., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic carcinoma that has metastatic potential, and because of its rare incidence, there are few reports focusing on its radiologic imaging. If it shows aggressive appearances, it can be diagnosed as malignant tumor. But in case of negative appearance, it is difficult to distinguish ameloblastic carcinoma from ameloblastoma. We report a case of ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla in a 76-year-old female patient with radiologic images and pathologic features., (Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Typical MR images of ameloblastomas on T2-weighted image (WI) or short inversion time inversion-recovery (STIR) show multiple bright high-signal-intensity loci on a high-signal-intensity background. Unilocular cystic-type ameloblastomas show homogeneously bright high signal intensity on T2WI or STIR as a water-like signal intensity. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish unilocular cystic-type ameloblastoma from other cystic lesions such as keratocystic odontogenic tumors, radicular cysts (residual cysts) and dentigerous cysts only on the basis of MRI signal intensity. In the present study, we evaluated whether contrast-enhanced (CE)-T1WI and dynamic CE-MRI (DCE-MRI) could provide additional information for differential diagnosis in unilocular cystic-type ameloblastoma. Images from 12 cases of suspected unilocular cystic-type ameloblastoma were evaluated in the present study. Of them, 5 had areas suspected of indicating a solid component on T1WI and T2WI (or STIR). Ten had undergone additional CE-T1WI and DCE-MRI. On 5 of 10 cases of CE-T1WI, a tiny enhancement area was detected. On 6 of 10 DCE-images, a time-course enhanced area which was suspected to be a solid component was detected. CE-T1WI was helpful in the diagnosis of ameloblastoma because the tiny enhanced areas were taken to indicate possible solid components. Moreover, the rim-enhancement area on CE-T1WI could be divided into small regions of interest, and some of these showed slightly increased enhancement on DCE-MRI, which was taken to indicate a solid component and/or intramural nodule with focal invasion of ameloblastoma tissue. DCE-MRIs of the four remaining cases, which provided no clues to the diagnosis of ameloblastoma in the manner of the above descriptions, showed thicker rim enhancement than odontogenic cysts. Thus, CE-T1WI and DCE-MRI were helpful in the differential diagnosis of unilocular cystic-type ameloblastomas with homogeneously bright high signal intensity on T2WI or STIR., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The radiographical differentiation of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) from dentigerous cysts, calcifying odontogenic cysts, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors, odontogenic keratocysts and amelobastomas is sometimes difficult. We attempted to differentiate AOT from other lesions similar to AOT in radiographic findings using MRI. The MRI features of AOT in our three cases included homogeneous low SI in the cystic portion and homogeneous intermediate SI in the solid portion on T1WI, homogeneous high SI in the cystic portion and intermediate to slightly high SI in the solid portion on T2WI and enhancement of only the solid portion on CE-T1WI although none of the sequences included SI of calcifications. The contrast index curves in the three cases of AOT showed a gradual increase to 300 s, which signified a benign tumor. These MRI features were characteristic features of AOT and might be a basis for differentiating AOT from the above possible lesions in radiographic examinations.

It is often difficult to radiographically distinguish odontogenic myxomas from ameloblastomas. In the present study, we tried to differentiate odontogenic myxomas from ameloblastomas using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dynamic MRI). Two cases of ameloblastoma with cystic components and two cases of odontogenic myxoma were compared by dynamic MRI. The dynamic MRI features of solid areas of ameloblastomas showed a rapid enhancement, reaching maximum contrast at 45-60 s, and maintained these enhancement levels or showed a gradual wash-out to 600 s thereafter; in contrast, those of the cystic areas of ameloblastomas showed no enhancement. The dynamic MRI features of the whole area of odontogenic myxomas (we considered the whole area to be the tumor substance in the odontogenic myxomas, as based on histopathological examinations) showed a gradual increase in enhancement at 500-600 s. The central portions of the odontogenic myxomas, which did not appear to be enhanced on Gd-T1 weighted images also showed a gradual increase in enhancement at 500-600 s, though the increase was minimal. These results indicate that the dynamic MRI features of odontogenic myxomas are different from those of ameloblastomas. Therefore, dynamic MRI may be a useful tool for diagnosis of myxoma.

Objectives: It is known that the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of dentigerous cysts (DCs) are the same as those of other cysts. The cavities of DCs generally show low signal intensity (SI) on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI). However, in our experience, DCs often show high SI on T1WI, rendering them difficult to distinguish from keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs). In this study, we evaluated seven cases of DC and 23 cases of KCOT to assess whether MR imaging can provide additional information for the differential diagnosis of DC and KCOT. Methods: Two trials were evaluated. The first trial was an analysis of the cystic cavity SI on T1WI. To compare the SI between patients, we performed T1WI with contrast (T1c). The second trial analyzed the SI uniformity ( U) on T1WI, T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) images of the cystic cavity, because it has been reported that an MR imaging feature of KCOT is heterogeneous SI. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The T1c values of DCs were significantly higher than those for KCOTs. The U values on T1WI and STIR images were significantly higher for DCs than for KCOTs. The T1c cutoff values (0.66 and 0.84) and U cutoff values for T1WI (82.1 %) and STIR images (79.8 %) were determined from the ROC analyses. Conclusions: T1c and U values provide useful additional information for the differential diagnosis of DC and KCOT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and histopathological findings of 11 patients with unerupted first molars to verify the factors obstructing spontaneous eruption. Methods: The patients' clinical, radiological, and histopathological data were evaluated retrospectively to determine histopathological diagnosis, radiographic findings, methods of surgical management, and postoperative course. Results: This study involved 4 male and 7 female patients (mean age=9.5 years old). Nine cases involved the mandible. The patients' histopathological diagnoses included 3 odontogenic tumors, 2 odontogenic cysts, and 6 hyperplastic dental follicles. Radiographicolly, 10 cases showed characterless enlargement of the follicular space, while only 1 displayed radiopague bodies. One patient with a tumor underwent enucleation, and 1 with a cyst underwent cystectomy and tooth extraction. The others underwent wide excision or partial excision of the surrounding tissue at the top of the impacted tooth. Tumor relapse was observed in 3 cases. Conclusion: Surgeons should perform aggressive treatment for patients with unerupted teeth because spontaneous eruption is rare in cases involving non-neoplastic lesions such as hyperplastic dental follicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We rarely find multiple cystic lesions in the jaw in panoramic radiographs. Most reports of multiple cystic lesions have described keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome. In this study, we performed radiographic and clinical examinations of patients with multiple cystic jaw lesions found during their first visit to our department to determine the proportion of basal cell nevus syndrome among multiple cystic lesions. Methods. Patients who had a panoramic radiograph taken at Okayama University Hospital between 1993 and 2000 were examined. Twenty-three patients with multiple cystic jaw lesions on a first panoramic radiography examination were entered into this study. Results. Of the 23 patients, 12 (52.2%) were diagnosed with basal cell nevus syndrome and 11 (47.8%) were not. Of the 14 patients with multiple KOTs, 12 (85.7%) were diagnosed as having basal cell nevus syndrome. Of the nine remaining patients with multiple cystic jaw lesions, only seven had multiple dentigerous cysts and two had multiple simple bone cysts. Cleft palate was observed in four of the 12 patients (33.3%) with basal cell nevus syndrome. Conclusion. Diagnosing basal cell nevus syndrome based on multiple cystic jaw lesions carries a high risk of misdiagnosis. A strong possibility exists that patients with multiple jaw KOTs have basal cell nevus syndrome. Furthermore, cleft palate should be considered an important oral finding in basal cell nevus syndrome because its occurrence was relatively frequent in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]