title: [The phantom mandible].
abstract: The authors report a case of "phanton mandible" (phantom bone, disappearing bone, massive osteolysis affecting the mandible), describing the clinical colrse and radiological appearance of the condition. From a diagnosis of non-specific osteitis of the premolar region, they observed their patient until there was virtually total disappearance of the osseous structure of the mandible. Studying the world literature, they have collected 11 cases of the disorder involving the mandible, and, in some cases, the facial skeleton. They distinguish this condition from senile atrophy of the mandible and, after histological study, feel that it is not possible to classify this case in the context of Gorham's disease: in fact, haemangiomatosis was proved histologically in only three of the eleven cases described in the facial area.
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D010015:Osteolysis, Essential / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography
vernacular_title: La mandibule fantôme