[Giant cell lesions of the mandible: problems of differential diagnosis apropos of 3 cases of central giant cell reparative granuloma].

Three cases of central giant cell reparative granulomas of the mandible are reported. The first shows classic manifestations. The second illustrates the role of traumatism in the genesis of these lesions. The third highlights the effect of pregnancy in their growth. The bilateral character of the lesions in this last patient led us to evoke the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and cherubism. They were ultimately discarded. A diagnostic approach is proposed which takes into account the location of the lesion and the medical history of the patient. Both experimental data concerning the potential of the cells found in the ramus of the mandible in laboratory animals and notions which apply to the periodontal bone remodelling enable one to better understand and differentiate between the central giant cell reparative granuloma and the genuine cell tumor of the mandible.