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Mandibular lesions

Dr Yuranga Weerakkody and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

The mandible, due to the presence of teeth, is the site of many lesions that are unique to it (shared with the maxilla of course). Lesions can therefore be odontogenic and non-odontogenic, and although it may often not be possible to make a diagnosis on imaging alone, the differential can be narrowed. Although a histological classification is probably the most scientifically sound, as radiologists we are presented with an image, and therefore it is easier to classify lesions according to location in the mandible and appearance. (for a detailed classification of odontogenic tumours, many more than even the keenest neuro / head and neck radiologist can ever remember, please refer to the WHO classification scheme for odontogenic tumours (1992).

Below the lesions are divided into Cystic and Solid. Cystic should not be confused with lytic as solid radiolucent lesions can also appear lytic... (see lytic lesions of the jaw)

Cystic lesions

Benign Solid lesions

Odontogenic
Non odontogenic

Malignant Solid lesions

Odontogenic
Non odontogenic

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