title: Central xanthoma of the jaws: a clinicopathologic entity?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate central lesions of the jaws dominated by foamy macrophages (foam cells), which are interpreted to be "central xanthomas of the jaws" and to differentiate this condition from reported cases of jaw nonossifying fibroma/fibrous cortical defect and benign fibrous histiocytoma of bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a literature review and a retrospective analysis of clinical, radiographic, microscopic, and immunohistochemical features of five new cases of this condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesion has a predilection for the mandible in adults of variable ages, with the potential to become very large and destructive; however, it has a very low recurrence rate, if any, following surgical curettage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the "central xanthoma of the jaws" be considered a unique, although rare, clinicopathologic entity. It is unclear whether this lesion is a benign neoplastic process or a persistent reactive process.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Pathology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Tdaley@schulich.uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.affiliation: Intern, Dental Department, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Pathology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Darling
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005350:Fibroma / Q000473:pathology; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000473:pathology; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult