[Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible].

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign lesions of bone consisting of a septated, cystic cavity filled with non-endothelium-lined, blood-filled spaces. Aneurysmal bone cysts mainly occur in children and adolescents. Only a few occur in the jaws.

PATIENT

This is the report of a 9-year-old girl with an aneurysmal bone cyst in the condyle of the mandible who was admitted to the hospital with swelling in front of her right ear. Because of the location and to eliminate recurrence, complete surgical excision of the condyle was performed.

DISCUSSION

Fifty-seven cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible have been reported to date. Aneurysmal bone cyst is treated by surgical excision, which ranges from enucleation and curettage to conservative resection.

CONCLUSION

Simple curettage for aneurysmal bone cyst is reported to be associated with a high recurrence rate, a result of the difficulty of completely excising such a vascular lesion. We recommend complete surgical excision as the best treatment.