Gorham disease of the mandible

J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Mar;26(2):e160-2. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000001387.

Abstract

Gorham disease, or massive osteolysis, is a rare condition of unknown etiology. The disease is characterized by spontaneous progressive osteolysis of 1 or more skeletal bones. The mandible is the most commonly involved bone in the maxillofacial region. This article reports a case of Gorham disease with mandibular involvement in a 46-year-old male patient with a 7-year follow-up. In this case, we performed lower right mandibular osteotomy and reconstruction with a phased titanium plate. Postoperative follow-up showed continued mandibular bone loss that was progressing to the contralateral mandible. Massive osteolysis of the mandible is a rare clinical condition that must be differentiated from mandibularosteomyelitis, benign and malignant tumors, as well as hyperparathyroidism. Improved differential diagnoses and disease follow-up are required to effectively manage massive osteolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bone Plates
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandibular Diseases / surgery*
  • Mandibular Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Mandibular Osteotomy / methods
  • Mandibular Reconstruction / instrumentation
  • Mandibular Reconstruction / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteolysis, Essential / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteolysis, Essential / surgery*
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / methods