Non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the mandible: imaging findings

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the imaging findings of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) involving the mandible.

Study design: The imaging studies of 4 patients with NHL involving the mandible were retrospectively reviewed. Panoramic and computerized tomographic (CT) images were available for all patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was available for 3 patients.

Results: On panoramic images, an apparent radiolucent lesion was found in only 2 of 4 cases. However, in all cases careful observation demonstrated imaging findings suggesting malignancy. On CT and MRI, tumor replaced the bone marrow in all cases and spread to the surrounding soft tissue in 3 cases. Cortical bone destruction tended to be mild for the extent of tumor involvement.

Conclusions: NHL involving the mandible tended to show slight or mild cortical bone destruction relative to the extent of the tumor involvement. Careful observation was considered to be necessary when interpreting conventional images, because they might not clearly demonstrate bone destruction.