Eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible involving the periodontal tissues. A case report.

This case reports on a 14-year-old boy with multiple radiolucent lesions widely distributed in the mandible, particularly in the right side (body-angle-ascending ramus). The lesion was first diagnosed as early-onset periodontitis and treated accordingly. It continued to grow very quickly, however, over a 6-month period, resulting in involvement of the entire mandible, with complete destruction of the lingual cortical bone, erosion of the external cortex with expansion in the neighboring soft tissues, and with a periosteal reaction in some areas. This case may serve to illustrate the rapid progress of eosinophilic granuloma, the importance and the difficulties of an early diagnosis, and the consequences of late diagnosis and treatment.