title: The role of MRI and CT in diagnosis and treatment planning of cherubism: a 13-year follow-up case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cherubism is characterised by mesenchymal alterations during the development of the jaws secondary to perivascular fibrosis. According to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, it is important to avoid conditions where the amount of radiation used is more than that needed for the procedure, because there is no benefit from unnecessary radiation. However, the use of MRI has been poorly studied in cherubism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient underwent head and neck MRI and 3D CT for imaging assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI is necessary to evaluate the extension of dysplastic tissue and the cystic part of the lesions. Bone window CT only allows evaluation of strong densitometric alterations of cherubism lesions. Moreover, on radiographic film it is not always possible to distinguish fibrous tissue from mucous pseudocystic tissue. By contrast, these differences are readily evident on MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI, in addition to other traditional radiographs and CT, could be useful in helping the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of cherubism.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. mzzdra@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferraris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galluccio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavallini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silvestri
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000175:diagnosis; D002636:Cherubism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009078:Mucocele / Q000175:diagnosis; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*