title: Benign lesions of the mandibular and maxillary region in children: characterization by CT and MRI.
abstract: The CT criteria for classifying lesions of the mandibular and maxillary regions in adults as benign or malignant are well recognized: irregular soft tissue margins and bone destruction. We reviewed the charts of 12 pediatric patients from 3 institutions to evaluate these criteria in children. These masses were evaluated by CT and/or MRI based solely on well-recognized and published criteria. The patients' ages ranged from 4 mo to 18 yr. The histological diagnoses were ameloblastoma (4), hemangioma (2), lymphangioma, desmoplastic fibroma, hemangiopericytoma, neurofibroma, fibrous dysplasia, and juvenile angiofibroma. All but one case was surgically proven. Among the 12 cases, 5 had bone destruction and 5 showed irregular soft tissue margins. Three cases satisfied both criteria. With well-recognized CT criteria (in adult patients), characterization of these processes led to an incorrect diagnosis of a malignant lesion in 8 of the 12 cases preoperatively. Therefore, CT and MR imaging should only be a guide to the planning and extent of surgical resection. Without clearly defined distal spread of the mass, the classification of these masses in children should be made with caution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Mast
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006393:Hemangiopericytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed