Cherubism: diagnosis, treatment, and comparison with central giant cell granulomas and giant cell tumors

Diagnosis and Treatment of Intraosseous Ganglion in the Ankle Region

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of intraosseous ganglion cyst in the ankle region.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the diagnosis and treatment of 18 patients with intraosseous ganglion in the ankle region from January 2005 to March 2016. There were 11 males and 7 females, with an average age of 40.4 years (22-74 years). Thirteen of these had mild intermittent localized pain in the ankle and five were asymptomatic and fortuitously found on images. According to the location of the intraosseous ganglion cyst, nine were located in the distal end of tibia, seven were in the distal end of the fibula, and two were in the talus. After curettage of intraosseous ganglion, 15 cases were filled with autogenous iliac bone and 3 cases with artificial bone.

RESULTS

Fifteen cases were diagnosed with radiographs and CT scans, two cases with MR images, and one case was confirmed by postoperative pathology. The cyst contents were jelly-like material with sclerotic bone margins. The mean size of the intraosseous ganglion cyst was 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm × 1 cm. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the tissue showed fibrous tissue, collagenous fiber, mucoid, and a few fibroblasts. Eighteen cases were followed up for 11 months to 10 years, with an average of 5.4 years. No recurrence was found. Sixteen patients were asymptomatic after surgery. Two cases of ankle pain occurred at 1 year and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, the mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score improved from 78.2 ± 13.7 points preoperatively to 97.3 ± 4.5 points at the final follow-up.

CONCLUSION

For the intraosseous ganglion cyst in the ankle region, whether there are clinical symptoms or not, the cyst should be curettaged and the cavity should be filled with bone graft. The operation result is satisfactory.

Sinonasal Manifestations of Severe Cherubism: A Case with 11-year Follow-up

Cherubism, a type of fibroosteodysplasia, is a rare hereditary disease that causes variable degrees of facial deformity in children. Hypertrophy of the mandible is the most common symptom, but in severe cases, the disease affects the eyes, teeth, and sinonasal cavity. There have been few reports regarding sinonasal complications and no standard treatment has been established. This paper reports long-term treatment of severe cherubism that invaded the sinonasal cavity treated with consecutive endoscopic sinonasal surgeries.

Multiple versus solitary giant cell lesions of the jaw: Similar or distinct entities?

The majority of giant cell lesions of the jaw present as a solitary focus of disease in bones of the maxillofacial skeleton. Less frequently they occur as multifocal lesions. This raises the clinical dilemma if these should be considered distinct entities and therefore each need a specific therapeutic approach. Solitary giant cell lesions of the jaw present with a great diversity of symptoms. Recent molecular analysis revealed that these are associated with somatic gain-of-function mutations in KRAS, FGFR1 or TRPV4 in a large component of the mononuclear stromal cells which all act on the RAS/MAPK pathway. For multifocal lesions, a small group of neoplastic multifocal giant cell lesions of the jaw remain after ruling out hyperparathyroidism. Strikingly, most of these patients are diagnosed with jaw lesions before the age of 20 years, thus before the completion of dental and jaw development. These multifocal lesions are often accompanied by a diagnosis or strong clinical suspicion of a syndrome. Many of the frequently reported syndromes belong to the so-called RASopathies, with germline or mosaic mutations leading to downstream upregulation of the RAS/MAPK pathway. The other frequently reported syndrome is cherubism, with gain-of-function mutations in the SH3BP2 gene leading through assumed and unknown signaling to an autoinflammatory bone disorder with hyperactive osteoclasts and defective osteoblastogenesis. Based on this extensive literature review, a RAS/MAPK pathway activation is hypothesized in all giant cell lesions of the jaw. The different interaction between and contribution of deregulated signaling in individual cell lineages and crosstalk with other pathways among the different germline- and non-germline-based alterations causing giant cell lesions of the jaw can be explanatory for the characteristic clinical features. As such, this might also aid in the understanding of the age-dependent symptomatology of syndrome associated giant cell lesions of the jaw; hopefully guiding ideal timing when installing treatment strategies in the future.

Early detection of cherubism with eventual bilateral progression: a literature review and case report

Cherubism is a rare familial disease of childhood that commonly affects the bilateral mandible and maxilla and typically resolves in adulthood. It has been shown to have a male predilection and has been mapped to the SH3 BP2 gene. Only 2 cases of unilateral cherubism have been documented in the literature; in the first case, the contralateral side was eventually affected. Although rare, unilateral cherubism presents a diagnostic dilemma. This case report describes a unique presentation of unilateral cherubism that progressed to affect the contralateral side and describes some of the considerations in the diagnosis and treatment of unilateral benign giant cell lesions of the jaws.

Bilateral Central Giant Cell Granuloma of the mandibular angle in three females from the same family

In literature there are few reports about multiple CGCG. But this is the first report of bilateral CGCG of the mandibular angles in three females from the same family.This report describes three cases of females from the same family - a mother and two young daughters - with bilateral CGCG in their jaw angles. All the lesions were surgically removed and the histopathologic diagnosis was always identical: giant cell central granulomas, with patterns that were absolutely superimposable between them and with that of the mother.The hypothesis is that this presentation of CGCG may be defined as hereditary bilateral CGCG of the mandibular angles (or also, cherubism-like lesions).

[Brown tumors in chronic hemodialysis patients]

PURPOSE

Brown tumors are rare and severe manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism. We propose in this study: to define and illustrate brown tumors observed in our hemodialysis center; to show the frequency for 20 years in our center; to identify risk factors compared to the rest of dialysis patients; and finally to offer improved support for reducing the incidence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, over a period of 20 years (1993-2013), including 311 cumulative patients which are chronic hemodialysis in our unit.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients had brown tumors (6.75%). The average age was 36.1 years and the sex ratio M/F is of 0.6. The average time between the start of hemodialysis and the diagnosis of brown tumor was 87.6 months. Clinical symptoms were dominated by bone pain, found in 76.1% of cases. The most frequent locations were costal (28.5% of cases), while spinal involvement was less frequent (4.76% of cases). The location was multifocal in 57.1% of cases. The mean serum calcium was of 2.08 mmol/L, the serum phosphate of 2.25 mmol/L, alkaline phosphatase of 1709 IU/L and the average value of parathyroid hormone of 1934 pg/mL. Radiography was the key of diagnostic. Resonance magnetic imaging and computed tomography had an interest in the exploration of spinal locations and maxillo-mandibular locations. All patients underwent parathyroidectomy and it was total in one patient. Tumorectomy was necessary in three patients (14.2% of cases). The outcome was favorable in 85.7% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Our work relates one of the most important series published of brown tumors and is characterized by the multifocal character of these tumors.

Case Report of Nonfamilial Cherubism in a Toddler: Description of Clinic-Radiographic Features and Osseous-Dental Treatments

Cherubism is a rare familial disease that occurs between the ages two and five years and regresses after puberty. Most of the cherubism cases show familial history, but there are some cases without familial histories of disorder. A two-year-old boy with a painless symmetrical progressive swelling of the jaws had visited maxillofacial radiology department. Panoramic radiograph revealed well-defined multilocular, radiolucent areas of both jaws. Computed tomography of the jaws showed well-defined, bilateral, multilocular, expansile lesions with thinning of cortical plate of maxilla and mandible and displacing the unerupted first molar anteriorly. Clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic characteristics confirmed the diagnosis of cherubism.

Cherubism: a case report

Cherubism is a benign, self-limiting fibro-osseous lesion characterized by bilateral symmetric painless expansion of jaw which is more prominent in mandible than in maxilla. Males are commonly affected (2:1) and with greater severity. It becomes noticeable in early childhood and gradually regresses after puberty. Although cherubism is considered as a familial/inherited disease but many sporadic cases have been reported in literature with no familial history. Osteoblastic and osteoclastic remodeling replaces normal bone by excessive amount of fibrovascular tissue containing multinucleated giant cells. Here, we present a case report of cherubism in a 10 year old boy describing the clinical, histological, biochemical and radiographic features.

Familial case of cherubism from South India: differential diagnosis and report of 2 cases

Cherubism is a rare familial multilocular cystic lesion of the jaws. The condition clinically appears as a bilateral symmetric swelling of the cheeks in children and is the primary reason for referral. It is a rare lesion of the jaws that has a dominant pattern of inheritance. We report two cases of cherubism, that of a boy and his mother suggestive of a strong familial incidence. A variety of lesions of the jaw mimic this condition and hence the differential diagnosis has been emphasised.

Craniofacial brown tumor as a result of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal disease patient: A rare entity

Brown tumors are erosive bony lesions caused by rapid osteoclastic activity and peritrabecular fibrosis due to primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism resulting in a local destructive phenomenon. The differential diagnosis based on histological examination is only presumptive. Clinical, radiological and laboratory data are necessary for definitive diagnosis. Here, we report a very rare case of brown tumor involving maxilla and mandible, which is the result of secondary hyperparathyroidism in 30-year-old female patient with chronic renal disease.

Non-hereditary cherubism

Cherubism is a self-limiting non-neoplastic autosomal dominant fibro-osseous disorder of the jaw usually found in children between 2-5 years of age. It occurs predominantly in boys and is characterized clinically by bilateral swelling of cheeks due to bony enlargement of the jaw that gives the patient a typical cherubic look. Cherubism may occur as solitary cases or in many members of family, often in multiple lesions. Radiographically the lesions appear as multilocular bilateral radiolucent areas. The present case report describes a 13-year-old female cherubic child with progressive swelling of cheeks.

Etanercept administration to neonatal SH3BP2 knock-in cherubism mice prevents TNF-α-induced inflammation and bone loss

Cherubism is a genetic disorder of the craniofacial skeleton caused by gain-of-function mutations in the signaling adaptor protein, SH3-domain binding protein 2 (SH3BP2). In a knock-in mouse model for cherubism, we previously demonstrated that homozygous mutant mice develop T/B cell-independent systemic macrophage inflammation leading to bone erosion and joint destruction. Homozygous mice develop multiostotic bone lesions whereas cherubism lesions in humans are limited to jawbones. We identified a critical role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the development of autoinflammation by creating homozygous TNF-α-deficient cherubism mutants, in which systemic inflammation and bone destruction were rescued. In this study, we examined whether postnatal administration of an anti-TNF-α antagonist can prevent or ameliorate the disease progression in cherubism mice. Neonatal homozygous mutants, in which active inflammation has not yet developed, were treated with a high dose of etanercept (25 mg/kg, twice/week) for 7 weeks. Etanercept-treated neonatal mice showed strong rescue of facial swelling and bone loss in jaws and calvariae. Destruction of joints was fully rescued in the high-dose group. Moreover, the high-dose treatment group showed a significant decrease in lung and liver inflammatory lesions. However, inflammation and bone loss, which were successfully treated by etanercept administration, recurred after etanercept discontinuation. No significant effect was observed in low-dose-treated (0.5 mg/kg, twice/week) and vehicle-treated groups. In contrast, when 10-week-old cherubism mice with fully active inflammation were treated with etanercept for 7 weeks, even the high-dose administration did not decrease bone loss or lung or liver inflammation. Taken together, the results suggest that anti-TNF-α therapy may be effective in young cherubism patients, if treated before the inflammatory phase or bone resorption occurs. Therefore, early genetic diagnosis and early treatment with anti-TNF-α antagonists may be able to prevent or ameliorate cherubism, especially in patients with a mutation in SH3BP2.

Cherubism: a case report of a three-generation inheritance and literature review

Cherubism is a rare, non-neoplastic pathologic entity first described by Jones in 1933. It affects mostly younger individuals and is usually inherited. Cherubism presents as a painless jaw enlargement that affects both the maxilla and the mandible and is characterized by replacement of the osseous tissue by fibrous connective tissue. Radiologically, the lesions appear as multiple, multilocular radiolucent spaces with distinct borders divided by bony septations, which often dramatically alter the shape and size of the jaw structures. These often result in marked facial abnormalities. Cervical lymphadenopathy is not uncommon in those affected. The disease is self-limited and can reverse itself with time. Approximately 250 cases have been reported in published studies, mostly affecting males. The purpose of our report was to present a case of cherubism diagnosed in a young girl and the long-term (3 generations) follow-up evaluation of her mother and grandmother, both of whom had been diagnosed with the same pathologic entity.

[Cherubism: a case followed for 18 years]

Cherubism is a rare and benign bone disease affecting the bones of the face, mainly the mandible, sometimes the maxilla and exceptionally the whole skeleton. The physiopathology is briefly mentioned, especially the genetic aspect of the disease. Subsequently, we present the case of a patient suffering from cherubism, a case we have been following from the age of four and a half to the age of 22. Each step of the surgical treatment is illustrated through a wide iconography. The discussion analyses the intellectual process that leads to diagnosis. The clinical examination is fundamental, as well as the radiological check-up but the latter may not be feasible due to the young age of the patient. The definite diagnosis relies on the histological examination of the bone concerned. It will show an association of dense, abundant and highly vascularised conjunctive tissue together with giant plurinuclear cells, without any mitosis nor any cellular atypia. The other bone diseases affecting the bones of the face will have to be sought, of course, and eliminated through the clinical and radiological examinations and, above all, by the histological examination which is the basis of the definite diagnosis. The treatment of cherubism is still a controversial issue: some authors are in favour of therapeutic abstention while others support the recourse to surgery to deal with the functional and aesthetic dimensions of the disease. In conclusion, the authors insist that the diagnosis of cherubism is apparently easy. Cherubism must be envisaged in the case of a chubby-cheeked child and a sample of pathological bone should be taken in order to ascertain the diagnosis.

RANKL, denosumab, and giant cell tumor of bone

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a benign, osteolytic neoplasm of bone. The receptor activator of NF-KB ligand (RANKL) pathway has recently been shown to play a key role in the pathogenesis of GCT.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treatment for refractory, recurrent, or metastatic GCT remains challenging. The recent development of a monoclonal antibody to RANKL, denosumab, offers promise in the management of these patients. A recent phase 2 study suggested denosumab offers disease and symptom control for patients with advanced or refractory disease. In this population, denosumab appears to be well tolerated. There are key questions which remain to be addressed, including patient selection, optimal scheduling, use as an adjuvant, and application to other giant cell-rich disorders.

SUMMARY

Denosumab offers a new treatment option for a subset of patients with previously untreatable GCT. The role of denosumab in curative treatment is the subject of ongoing studies.

Bone Lesions of the Head and Neck

This article describes the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of tumors and tumorlike lesions affecting the bones of the head and neck region. Emphasis is placed on common bone lesions affecting the craniofacial skeleton, particularly those that occur with more frequency or those that are unique to this part of the skeleton. Several of these lesions pose a diagnostic challenge to the pathologist. To ensure that a correct diagnosis is rendered, it is of utmost importance that accurate and detailed clinical and radiographic information is available.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 associated with bilateral central giant cell granuloma of the mandible

Neurofibromatosis type 1, or von Recklinghausen disease, is one of the most common hereditary neurocutaneous disorders in humans. Clinically, Neurofibromatosis type 1 is characterized by café-au-lait spots, freckling, skin neurofibroma, plexiform neurofibroma, bony defects, Lisch nodules and tumors of the central nervous system. Central giant cell granuloma is a benign central lesion of bone, primarily involving the jaws, of variably aggressive nature characterized by aggregates of multinucleated giant cells in a background of cellular vascular fibrous connective tissue and spindle-shaped mononuclear stromal cells. The association between neurofibromatosis and central giant cell granuloma has been reported in the literature. A case of mandibular bilateral central giant cell granuloma in a patient with Neurofibromatosis type 1 was conservatively but successfully treated by adequate surgical curettage of mandibular bone lesions.

New retinal findings in cherubism

PURPOSE

To report three new retinal findings in a patient with cherubism.

PARTICIPANT

An 18-year-old male patient.

METHODS

Clinical examination and retinal scanning with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

The spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed inner retinal striae in the posterior pole of both eyes and a subfoveal vitelliform deposit in the left eye. There was an inferior retinoschisis in the left eye.

CONCLUSIONS

The inner retinal striae, subretinal vitelliform deposit, and retinoschisis extend the scale of retinal findings associated with orbital (facial) cherubism.

Cherubism: clinicoradiographic features and treatment

Objectives

Cherubism is a congenital childhood disease of autosomal dominant inheritance. This disease is characterized by painless bilateral enlargement of the jaws, in which bone is replaced with fibrous tissue. The condition has sui generis clinical, radiographic and histological features, of which the clinician should be aware for a better differential diagnosis in the presence of a fibro-osseous lesion affecting the bones of the maxillomandibular complex. The purpose of present paper was to review the literature and to report the most important aspects of cherubism in order to facilitate the study of this disease

Material and Methods

Literature was reviewed about cherubism, emphasizing the relevant clinicoradiographic features and treatment. Literature was selected through a search of PubMed and Scielo electronic databases. The keywords used for search were adolescent, cherubism, cherubism/physiopathology, cherubism/treatment, cherubism/radiography. A manual search of the reference lists of the identified articles and the authors' article files and recent reviews was conducted to identify additional publications. Those studies that described new features about cherubism were included in this review.

Results

In total 44 literature sources were obtained and reviewed. Studies that described new features about cherubism physiopathology, diagnostics and treatment were reviewed.

Conclusions

Despite the exceptions, cherubism is a clinically well-characterized disease. In cases of a suspicion of cherubism, radiographic examination is essential since the clinical presentation, the location and distribution of the lesions may define the diagnosis. Histopathological examination is complementary. Nowadays, genetic tests should be used for final diagnosis of cherubism.

Alternative indications for bisphosphonate therapy

Bisphosphonates are currently used in the treatment of osteoporosis (postmenopausal and steroid-induced), hypercalcemia of malignancy, Paget's disease of bone, multiple myeloma, and skeletally related events associated with metastatic bone disease in breast, prostate, lung, and other cancers. There are, however, numerous other conditions where a decrease in bone remodeling by bisphosphonates might aid in disease management. The focus of this review will be to discuss a select group of conditions for which bisphosphonate therapy may be efficacious. In this review we present several cases where bisphosphonates have been used as a primary or adjunctive treatment for giant cell lesions of the jaws. Use of bisphosphonate therapy for giant cell tumors of the appendicular skeleton, pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia, Gaucher's disease, and osteomyelitis will be discussed. Finally, we will review previous in vivo studies on the use of bisphosphonates to augment integration and to treat osteolysis surrounding failing orthopedic implants.

Imaging of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a relatively common disorder of bone. It may affect the bones of the face and skull and, in so doing, produce a wide variety of clinical presentations. Plain film assessment of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia may be difficult because of varying appearances and complex, overlapping structures. The MRI appearances of fibrous dysplasia are often non-specific and may be confusing. Findings on CT are also variable, but more commonly lead to a specific diagnosis. This is because of the characteristic ground-glass appearance of woven bone, seen on CT in most if not all cases of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia.

Brown tumour in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism resistant to medical therapy: case report on successful treatment after subtotal parathyroidectomy

Brown tumour represents a serious complication of hyperparathyroidism. Differential diagnosis, based on histological examination, is only presumptive and clinical, radiological and laboratory data are necessary for definitive diagnosis. Here we describe a case of a brown tumour localised in the maxilla due to secondary hyperparathyroidism in a young women with chronic renal failure. Hemodialysis and pharmacological treatment were unsuccessful in controlling secondary hyperparathyroidism making it necessary to proceed with a subtotal parathyroidectomy. The proper timing of the parathyroidectomy and its favourable effect on regression of the brown tumor made it possible to avoid a potentially disfiguring surgical removal of the brown tumor.

Neurofibromatosis presenting with a cherubism phenotype

We report on a child who presented clinical manifestations of both neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and cherubism. With genetic testing, we found a mutation in the NF-1 gene, confirming the neurocutaneous disorder. Histology when correlated with radiological evaluation of a mandibular biopsy was consistent with cherubism. This is the first report in the literature of a child with proven neurofibromatosis type 1 and cherubism without extragnathic lesions. This emphasises that cherubism is a clinical phenotype that can be associated with a number of germline mutations involving SH3BP2, PTPN11 and NF1.

SH3BP2 is rarely mutated in exon 9 in giant cell lesions outside cherubism

Giant cell tumor of bone and giant cell reparative granuloma are benign lesions with prominent giant (multinucleated) cells, and an understanding of the molecular biology and genetics of these lesions will likely aid in more effective treatment. Cherubism is a benign lesion of the maxilla and mandible histologically similar to giant cell tumor of bone and giant cell reparative granuloma. Germline mutations in exon 9 of the gene encoding Src homology 3 binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) occur in most patients with cherubism. We therefore hypothesized SH3BP2 and its putative downstream effector nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 isoform (NFATc1) are highly expressed in sporadic nonsyndromic giant cell lesions and associated with somatic SH3BP2 mutations. We analyzed giant cell lesions for SH3BP2 and NFATc1 expression by RNA blot and/or immunohistochemistry and for exon 9 SH3BP2 mutations. We found the SH3BP2 transcripts and protein were abundantly expressed in giant cell tumors of bone, as well as NFATc1 protein. Sequencing of exon 9 of SH3BP2 was normal in all sporadic nonsyndromic giant cell lesions. Although many multinucleated giant cell lesions of bone share histologic features, the primary genetic defect in cherubism and these other giant cell lesions appears different.

Cherubism: a clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic comparison of 7 cases

PURPOSE

Cherubism is an uncommon fibro-osseous disorder of the jaws that presents with varying degrees of involvement and a tendency toward spontaneous remission. Lesions are characterized by replacement of bone with fibrovascular tissue containing abundant multinucleated giant cells. We attempted to study the relationships among the degree of cherubism, the radiographic extent of the jaw lesions, the histopathologic findings, and the clinical course of 7 patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 7 patients diagnosed with cherubism, we evaluated the degree of fibrosis and perivascular cuffing, the presence of focal hemosiderin deposits, and giant multinucleated cell density (absent, few, moderate, or severe). Clinical course and progression were also assessed using a 4-point scale (improvement, no changes, modest progression, and marked progression).

RESULTS

The patients were followed up for an average of 8.5 years. Two patients exhibited clinical and radiographic improvement, while 3 showed no changes, and 2 progressed despite surgical treatment in 1 of them.

CONCLUSION

The course of cherubism in 1 of our patients may represent evidence of an association between the presence of abundant multinucleated giant cells, an increased extent of the lesions, and a more aggressive behavior of the disease.

Central giant cell granuloma of the jaws: A clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic study of 26 cases

The clinical behavior of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws is variable and difficult to predict. Clinical data and follow-up information of 26 patients with CGCG were analyzed. Histologic features were correlated with the clinical course of the disease. In 16 patients the CGCGs were asymptomatic; 10 lesions presented with aggressive growth, pain, massive swelling, root resorption, cortical perforation, and/or recurrence. These patients were younger and the lesions were larger than in the nonaggressive group. The histomorphometric analysis proved a significant increase in large giant cells, fractional surface area, and mitotic activity in aggressive CGCG lesions. Immunohistologic investigation (Ki-67 and p53 stain) revealed no significant differences. After surgical treatment, 3 patients with aggressive lesions developed a recurrence. The data show that clinical and histomorphometric features may be reliable indicators for the differentiation between aggressive and nonaggressive CGCG. This should be accounted for to improve the individual planning of the treatment and follow-up.

Cherubism associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, and multiple osteolytic lesions of both femurs: a previously undescribed association of findings

We present a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1, with the clinical, radiological and histological features of cherubism mandibular lesions, and multiple osteolytic, geographic lesions in both femurs, consistent with multiple non-ossifying fibromas. We have been unable to find a similar case in the world literature. We discuss our findings in relationship with a number of syndromes that present clinical, radiological or pathological similarities.

Aggressive behaviour of cherubism in a teenager: 4-years of clinical follow-up associated with radiographic and histological features

Cherubism is a rare hereditary fibro-osseous childhood disease characterized by bone degradation and fibrous tissue replacement at the angles of the mandible and at the tuberosity areas of the maxilla that leads to prominence of the lower face and an appearance reminiscent of the cherub's portrayal in Renaissance art. This disease has an autosomal dominant hereditary characteristic. The purpose of this report is to analyse laboratory tests, clinicopathological and radiographic features of cherubism and its intraoral manifestations in a patient during 4-years of follow-up, correlating the features observed in this case with those of the literature. Also discussed is the atypical and aggressive behaviour of this case during puberty.

Clinicopathologic study of 24 cases of cherubism

The authors reviewed 24 cases of familial or nonfamilial cherubism. The age at onset was between 6 and 10 years. It was characterized by bilateral painless swelling of jaws and eyes-to-heaven appearance was visible when the maxillae were affected as well. Radiographs showed well-defined multilocular radiolucencies and with age, thick sclerotic borders were visible. A malocclusive and abnormal dentition, worse in the mandible can be seen. Histopathologically, numerous randomly distributed multinucleated giant cells and vascular spaces within a fibrous connective tissue stroma with or without eosinophilic collagen perivascular cuffing were apparent. Multinucleated giant cells were positive for osteoclastic specific markers, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and human alphaV beta3 integrin, 23C6. Results after follow-up were available for 14 cases. Of these, no treatment was carried out in five cases, cherubism resolved (three cases) or grew slowly (two cases); curettage or surgical contouring was performed in seven cases, during the rapid growth of the lesions. This not only gave good immediate results, but also arrested active growth of remnant cherubic lesions and even stimulated bone regeneration. Segmental mandibulectomy followed by reconstruction was performed in two cases with extensive lesion and the risk of pathologic fracture of the mandible, and excellent results were obtained.

A novel PTPN11 gene mutation bridges Noonan syndrome, multiple lentigines/LEOPARD syndrome and Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome

Noonan (NS) and multiple lentigines/LEOPARD syndromes (LS) have proved to be associated with distinct PTPN11 mutations. Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome (NLS) is a rare disease, characterised by short stature, facial dysmorphisms, congenital heart defect (CHD) and central giant cell lesions. PTPN11 gene mutations have been reported in a single NLS family and two sporadic patients. Here we report a patient with a complex phenotype progressing throughout the years from NS at birth towards LS and NLS. PTPN11 gene analysis disclosed a novel missense mutation (Ala461Thr) in exon 12, affecting the consensus sequence of the SHP2-active site. This observation joins together NS and LS to NLS into a unique genetic defect, broadening the clinical and molecular spectrum of PTPN11-related disorders.

Cherubism: Review of four affected members in a Kuwaiti family

Cherubism is a rare autosomal dominant fibro-osseous disorder of childhood, mostly limited to the maxilla and mandible. Extra-cranial skeletal involvement is rare. Post-pubertal involution of the process and jaw remodeling occurs in adulthood. The aim of this case report is to present four cherubs, a father and his three daughters, in whom the diagnosis was made based on history, physical examination, laboratory tests and typical radiological features. The imaging characteristics are discussed and the published literature is reviewed.

A missense mutation in the SH3BP2 gene on chromosome 4p16.3 found in a case of nonfamilial cherubism

OBJECTIVE

Cherubism is a rare hereditary multilocular cystic disease of the jaws, characterized by its typical appearance. Although nonfamilial cases have been reported, it is difficult to distinguish nonfamilial cherubism from central giant cell granuloma. Recent studies have revealed the point mutations in the SH3BP2 gene on chromosome 4p16.3 in cherubism families. In this article, the SH3BP2 gene in nonfamilial cherubism was examined.

PATIENT

A 21-year-old Japanese woman with nonfamilial cherubism.

INTERVENTIONS

Genomic DNA was purified from a blood sample obtained from the patient and used for direct sequencing. In addition, a sample of the lesion, resected during surgery, was used for histologic and immunohistochemical purposes.

RESULTS

Genomic DNA sequencing found a Pro418Arg mutation in the SH3BP2 gene of the patient. In a histochemical analysis, the multinucleated giant cells proved to be strongly positive for PGM-1, KP-1, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and faintly positive for osteopontin.

CONCLUSIONS

The missense mutation Pro418Arg was identified in the SH3BP2 gene from a nonfamilial case of cherubism. DNA diagnosis may play a significant role in the identification of cherubism.

Clinical and radiological evaluation of cherubism: a sporadic case report and review of the literature

Many cases have been published on cherubism since Jones described it first time in three children of the same family [Am. J. Cancer 17 (1933) 946]. Cherubism is an autosomal-dominant disorder in which the normal bone is replaced by cellular fibrous tissue and immature bone. Extracranial skeletal involvement is rarely seen in hereditary and non-hereditary forms of the disorder. The mandible is the most severely affected craniofacial component, in which uncontrolled growth of the malady deteriorates the aesthetic balance of the face. Bilateral swelling of the cheeks, mandibular enlargement and maxillary spongious hypertrophy cause orbital manifestations and tendency of eyes looking up to the sky. Thus, the pathognomic clinical feature resembles the appearance of "raised to heaven" Renaissance cherubs. The sporadic case concerns a child affected by cherubism. Radiographic and clinical data of the patient are presented and brief review of the literature is included.

Novel mutation in the gene encoding c-Abl-binding protein SH3BP2 causes cherubism

Cherubism is a rare autosomal dominant inherited condition caused by mutations in the c-Abl-binding protein SH3BP2. It is characterized by multiple cystic giant cell lesions of the jaw appearing in early childhood with stabilization and remission after puberty. In the present study, we used direct sequence analysis of the SH3BP2 gene of several individuals from a family with cherubism to search for additional SH3BP2 mutations resulting in cherubism. In affected relatives, we found a previously unreported G to A transition in exon 9 leading to a Gly to Arg substitution at amino acid position 420. G420R has been reported previously with a G to C transversion. To date there have been no disease causing mutations outside exon 9. Therefore, the amino acid sequence from positions 415 to 420 may represent a specific protein domain which, when disrupted, leads to the cherubism phenotype.

Cherubism: clinical evidence and therapy

Cherubism is a hereditary childhood disease of autosomal dominant inheritance that is more common in the male sex. Some cases have also revealed a mutation of the gene FGF-RIII (fibroblast growth factor receptor III). The clinical picture of cherubism is characterized by painless symmetrical swelling of the mandible and polycystic destruction of the mandibular bone structure. Complications include delayed dentition, dental root resorption, malalignment of teeth, and impacted teeth. The disease progression comes to a halt of its own accord at the end of puberty. Spontaneous recoveries have been observed. Histologically, multinuclear giant cells with osteoclastic activity, which correspond to a giant cell granuloma, are found in fibrous stroma. It is generally agreed that decisions about surgical intervention should be considered carefully. A case report describes the course of the disease and therapy of a female patient with a periorbital manifestation of cherubism. The latero-orbital enlargement of the intraorbital and latero-orbital region of the zygomatic bone resulted in displacement of the orbital contents with a motility disorder of the eyes. The motility disorder was eliminated by reduction of the diseased hard tissue as well as by carrying out a modeling orbitotomy and by reconstructing an anatomically correct localized and irregular bilateral osseous structure of the zygomatic bone in the intraorbital and latero-orbital region.

Cherubism

Cherubum is a benign. fanilial giant cell lesion characterised by gradually prirgeesive panless swelling of the jaws. A study involving, suffering from this rare disarder is preunted. The differentdal dingnosis ON bath clincal charcteristics and hisioktical ftvltitgs is disussed. The conficting treatmem policlm with respect to non-treatment and surgirai recentouring with curenage, are also reviewed.

An extreme case of cherubism

We describe an 8-year-old boy who presented with severe facial swelling. This progressed rapidly and 17 months later he died of gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections. The diagnosis was initially brown tumour associated with hyperparathyroidism, but this was revised in the light of laboratory investigations that were within the reference ranges, and normal appearance of the parathyroids on exploration to that of an extreme case of cherubism that behaved in a locally aggressive manner.

Cherubism and its charlatans

Cherubism is a rare hereditary condition characterised by progressive cystic proliferation of the mandible and maxilla in childhood, followed by post-pubertal involution of the process and jaw remodelling in adulthood. Its name is derived from the cherubic appearance that results from the jaw hypertrophy. Here, we present the case of a young boy with cherubism, in the context of his pedigree, to illustrate the clinical characteristics and their variable expression. We also seek to distinguish cherubism from central giant cell granuloma and giant cell tumour of the jaws, with which it holds a false synonymity.