Clinically aggressive central giant cell granulomas in two patients with neurofibromatosis 1

A Unique Case of Aggressive Central Giant Cell Granuloma in a 10-Year-Old Boy With 16p13.11 Microdeletion Syndrome

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a rare disease characterized by sporadic, benign, intraosseous mandibular lesions of unknown etiology. Histologically, these lesions are indistinguishable from brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism and cherubism, and occasionally have been associated with different syndromes raising a question for genetic etiology. The CGCG has varied presentation ranging from nonaggressive and indolent to aggressive, destructive, and recurrent, often posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Herein, we present the first case of a 10-year-old boy with CGCG and 16p13.11 microdeletion syndrome, highlight the diagnostic challenges inherent to this heterogeneous disorder, and discuss the genetics and treatment approaches of these complex lesions.

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.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 With Cherubism-like Phenotype, Multiple Osteolytic Bone Lesions of Lower Extremities, and Alagille-syndrome: Case Report With Literature Survey

BACKGROUND/AIM

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. The cardinal clinical findings include characteristic skeletal alterations. Difficulties in diagnosis and therapy can arise if an individual has further illnesses.

CASE REPORT

This is a case report of a 16-year-old patient affected by NF1. She also suffered from Alagille syndrome and the consequences of fetal alcohol exposure. The patient's facial phenotype showed findings that could be assigned to one or more of the known diseases. The patient was referred for treating a cherubism-like recurrent central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaw. The patient developed bilateral, multilocular non-ossifying fibromas (NOF) of the long bones of the lower extremity. Treatment of the skeletal lesions consisted of local curettage. While NOF regressed after surgery, the CGCG of the jaw remained largely unchanged. Extensive genetic tests confirmed a previously unknown germline mutation in the JAG1 gene, the germline mutation of the NF1 gene, and the somatic mutation in the NF1 gene in the diffuse plexiform neurofibroma, but not in the CGCG.

CONCLUSION

Assigning facial findings to a defined syndrome is ambiguous in many cases and especially difficult in patients who have multiple diseases that can affect the facial phenotype. Surgical therapy should be adapted to the individual findings.

Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome or neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report of phenotypic overlap with detection of NF1 gene mutation in non-ossifying fibroma

Background

Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome is characterized by multiple non-ossifying fibromas, café-au-lait macules and giant cell granulomas of the jaw. Even if the association between all these peculiar features and neurofibromatosis type 1 have been described, it has not yet been clarified whether Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome represents a distinct entity or it can be regarded as a neurofibromatosis type 1 subtype.

Case presentation

The patient here described is a young boy, who fulfilled the clinical diagnostic criteria for both syndromes. He had a complex clinical history with café-au-lait macules, axillary and inguinal freckling, multiple non-ossifying fibromas, giant-cell granuloma of the jaw, neurofibromas, plexiform fibroma, ocular Lisch nodules, optic chiasmatic- hypothalamic glioma, pseudarthrosis, scoliosis, short stature, vascular anomalies, seizures. Molecular analysis of the NF1 gene both on blood cells and non-ossifying fibroma’s biopsy tissue allowed the detection of a novel variant within the coding region, NM_000267.3:c.2789_2791delATC(p.Tyr930_Pro931delinsSer), with loss of heterozygosity (second hit mutation) in the non-ossifying fibroma.

Conclusion

This result indicates that every patient with clinical features of Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome should be further evaluated to detect features related to neurofibromatosis type 1 and genetically investigated for mutations in the NF1 gene, since this could lead to a definite diagnosis, but also could clarify and quantify the real genotype-phenotype overlap between neurofibromatosis type 1 and Jaffe-Campanacci syndrome.

Making sense of giant cell lesions of the jaws (GCLJ): lessons learned from next-generation sequencing

Next-generation sequencing has revealed mutations in several bone-related lesions and was recently used to uncover the genetic basis of giant cell lesions of the jaws (GCLJ). Consistent with their benign nature, GCLJ show a low tumor mutation burden. They also harbor somatic, heterozygous, mutually exclusive mutations in TRPV4, KRAS, or FGFR1. These signature mutations occur only in a subset of lesional cells, suggesting the existence of a 'landscaping effect', with mutant cells inducing abnormal accumulation of non-mutant cells that form the tumor mass. Osteoclast-rich lesions with histological similarities to GCLJ can occur in the jaws sporadically or in association with genetically inherited syndromes. Based on recent results, the pathogenesis of a subgroup of sporadic GCLJ seems closely related to non-ossifying fibroma of long bones, with both lesions sharing MAPK pathway-activating mutations. In this review, we extrapolate from these recent findings to contextualize GCLJ genetics and we highlight the therapeutic implications of this new information. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Clinicopathological profile of central giant cell granulomas: An institutional experience and study of immunohistochemistry expression of p63 in central giant cell granuloma

Background:

The central giant cell granuloma(CGCG) of bone constitutes about 10% of benign jawbone lesions. It affects females more often than males, mandible than maxilla. Biological behavior of CGCG ranges from a slow growing asymptomatic swelling to an aggressive process. True giant cell tumor (GCT) should be distinguished from CGCG. The histological distinction between these lesions depends on quite subtle differences. Expression of p63 has been demonstrated in GCT of bone conversely, has not been detected in CGCG. Therefore this short study attempts to study the expression of p63 in CGCG in conjunction with clinicopathological profile of the cases reported in the institute.

Aims and objectives:

To review all the cases of CGCGs of the jaws reported in the institute from 1998 to 2015 and study their clinicopathological profile.

To study the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of p63 in CGCG cases

Methods and materials:

The retrospective study reviewed records for clinically and histopathologically diagnosed cases of CGCG from the archives of department of Oral pathology. Data was recorded and analyzed. These cases were subjected for IHC analysis for expression of p63, also RANK, RANKL in selected cases to study the nature of giant cells.

Results and Conclusion:

This paper is an institutional experience of clinicopathological profile of diagnosed cases of CGCG. Clinicopathological findings were in concurrent with previous literature. Total number of cases was ten. Six occurred in females and four in males. Most of them occurred in the second decade, more commonly involving mandible. Three cases showed recurrence. Histologically most showed classical features. Expression of p63 showed negativity in all the cases in accordance with the previous studies. RANK and RANKL showed strong and diffuse immunoexpression in both mononuclear and giant cells. Thus study supports the finding that p63 expression can be used to differentiate between CGCG and GCT. However, more number of studies with larger sample size are required to confirm reliability of using p63 as a distinguishing marker between GCT and CGCG.

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia and peripheral giant cell granuloma in a patient with neurofibromatosis 1

We report a 35-year-old mulatto female patient with neurofibromatosis Type 1 who presented with facial asymmetry. The patient had two lesions: florid cemento-osseous dysplasia associated with peripheral giant cell granuloma. She was referred for surgical treatment of the peripheral giant cell granuloma and the florid cemento-osseous dysplasia was treated conservatively by a multidisciplinary team. So far, no changes have been observed in the patient's clinical status. We observed no recurrence of peripheral giant cell granuloma. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first report of a patient with neurofibromatosis Type 1 associated with a giant cell lesion and florid cemento-osseous dysplasia.

Recurrent multilocular mandibular giant cell granuloma in neurofibromatosis type 1: Evidence for second hit mutation of NF1 gene in the jaw lesion and treatment with curettage and bone substitute materials

Giant cell granuloma (GCG) of the jaw is a rare, well-known feature of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an inborn multisystem disorder. Recently, the development of GCG in NF1 was attributed to second hit mutations in the NF1 gene. The treatment of GCG is pragmatic with a preference for local curettage of lytic osseous areas. This report describes the surgical therapy of an NF1-affected female with multilocular mandibular GCG and hypodontia who additionally suffered from a brain tumour and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Although local recurrence of GCG was noted, augmentation of the curetted cavities with a bone substitute in successive interventions successfully restored the extensive periradicular local defects and stabilised the teeth. A meticulous in vitro study of the GCG specimen revealed a second hit mutation in the NF1 gene in the GCG spindle-cells. This study contributes to the increasing knowledge of the molecular basis for GCG in the jaw of NF1 patients, indicating that it is a neoplasm.

A Rare Case Report of Neurofibromatosis I in HIV Positive Individual

Neurofibroma is an uncommon benign tumour of neural tissue origin rarely presenting in the mouth and jaws and thereby attracting the attention of oral physicians. A 22-year-old male patient reported with a complaint of swelling in left middle one third region of face since 8-10 y which was slowly progressive in size. He had history of multiple dark brown pigmentation on skin associated with progressively enlarging multiple small nodular growths over the body and single firm nodular growth in left side of maxilla intraorally. He had history of tuberculosis at the age of one year which was treated completely and since last 2-3 y he was suffering from recurrent episodes of sore throat, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain with vomiting and excessive weight loss. Radiographic findings showed irregular osteolytic lesions involving ramus and angle of mandible, zygomatic bone and posterior part of maxilla with displacement of teeth with abnormal soft tissue enhancement observed by advance imaging. On serological investigation he was HIV positive and histopathologically, diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis-1. Oral manifestations of neurofibromatosis have been reported in only 4% to 7% of affected persons. This article presents a rarest of rare case report of neurofibromatosis-I in HIV positive individual also involving maxilla, mandible as well as zygomatic arch.

Insight into the pathogenesis and nature of Central Giant Cell Lesions of the Jaws

Central giant cell lesions of the jaws are not uncommon. While the majority of these represent single, sporadic lesions, histologically identical lesions are seen in association with a number of other bone lesions, as well as in certain syndromes. This manuscript offers a brief update on recent developments in this area that provide new insight into the pathogenesis and nature of Central Giant Cell Lesions of the Jaws.

Key words:Central giant cell lesion, RASopathy

Recurrent case of central giant cell granuloma with multiple soft tissue involvement

Central giant cell granuloma is a fairly common lesion in the jaws aetiology of which is still completely unknown but thought to be of a reactive process to some unknown stimuli. It usually arises either peripherally in periodontal ligament, mucoperiosteum, or centrally in the bone. The histological hallmark for both peripheral and central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is the presence of distinctive multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) in a prominent fibrous stroma. Central giant cell granuloma is an uncommon benign proliferative lesion that almost exclusively occurs within the jaw. Eventually, it may become aggressive leading to the expansion and perforation of cortex resulting into mobility and displacement of teeth with root resorption. The present case focuses on the dilemma and perplexity in diagnosing aggressive CGCGs, due to its close proximity with respect to pathology, behavior and prognosis from giant cell tumors (GCT). Central giant cell granuloma persuaded extensive destruction to the hard and soft tissues with high rate of recurrence encourage us the need of exploring the possibilities of giant cell tumors having a definitive presence in the jaws.

Central Giant Cell Granuloma of the Jaws: A Clinical Study of 17 Cases and a Review of the Literature

Objectives:

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of treatment of a group of 17 patients with central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) who were treated in our clinic.

Methods:

A group of 17 patients with CGCG were treated in the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the “G. Papanikolaou” hospital in Thessaloniki. The age range was from 7 to 60 years. Eight patients were male and 9 patients were female. Because most of our patients (11) were less than 30 years old, the aim of the treatment was to eradicate the lesions without functional problems. All of the patients were treated by excision via curettage without a continuity defect and peripheral osteotomy. For 2 patients, the treatment was continued (after the first recurrence) with salmon calcitonin.

Results:

The follow-ups ranged from 1 to 15 years. All of the patients were free of the disease, without features of recurrence and without functional or aesthetic problems.

Conclusions:

Surgery has usually been considered to be the best method of treatment for CGCG. Most authors have proposed conservative surgical procedures (excision via curettage), especially for young patients. For aggressive lesions, supplementary treatment with calcitonin would provide good results.

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.

Giant cell lesions in noonan syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome (NS/MGCLS) is a rare condition with phenotypic overlap with Noonan syndrome (NS). Once thought to be a specific and separate entity, it is now suggested to be a variant of the NS spectrum. We report a patient with classical cardinal features of NS, including short stature, mild ptosis, hypertelorism, down-slating palpebral fissures, low-set and posteriorly angulated ears, short neck, pectus excavatum, widely spaced nipples and cryptochidism, which were associated with bilateral central giant cell lesions in the mandible and germ-line mutation (C218T, Thr73Ile) in the exon 3 of the PTPN11 gene. The similar clinical and genetic aspects support the observation that NS/MGCLS is a variant of NS and giant cell lesions are an integrant part of this disorder.

Central giant cell granuloma of the jaws: clinical and radiological evaluation of 22 cases

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to investigate the clinical and radiological characteristics of central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) of the jaws.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a 20-year database was performed regarding both clinical and radiological features of 22 patients affected with CGCGs of the jaws.

RESULTS

Fourteen women and 8 men were included with the age range of 7-81 years (mean 31.7 years). Among the 22 lesions, 16 were located in the mandible and 6 in the maxilla. Painless swelling was the most common clinical feature in 18 of all cases. Limited mouth opening was noted in 2 patients where the lesions involved the condyle. Radiographically, 13 lesions were homogeneously osteolytic and 9 lesions were trabeculated. Fifteen lesions were unilocular and 14 lesions presented with well-defined but not sclerotic margins. CT images in 5 patients clearly showed the trabeculation within the lesions. The follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 11 years with a mean period of 5 years. Three out of 9 aggressive and 1 out of 13 nonaggressive lesions developed recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of CGCGs of the jaws depends on both correct interpretation of clinical, radiographic and pathological data. Differentiation between aggressive and nonaggressive CGCGs should be considered to improve individual treatment planning.

A case of recurrent multifocal central giant cell granulomas

One case of recurrent multifocal central giant cell granulomas (CGCG) is presented. Initially, the lesions presented concurrently in the maxilla and mandible with subsequent recurrence in the mandible. Now, two recurrences are seen in the maxillary sinus and ethmoid region. The literature regarding multifocal CGCG is reviewed.

SOS1 and PTPN11 mutations in five cases of Noonan syndrome with multiple giant cell lesions

We report five cases of multiple giant cell lesions in patients with typical Noonan syndrome. Such association has frequently been referred to as Noonan-like/multiple giant cell (NL/MGCL) syndrome before the molecular definition of Noonan syndrome. Two patients show mutations in PTPN11 (p.Tyr62Asp and p.Asn308Asp) and three in SOS1 (p.Arg552Ser and p.Arg552Thr). The latter are the first SOS1 mutations reported outside PTPN11 in NL/MGCL syndrome. MGCL lesions were observed in jaws ('cherubism') and joints ('pigmented villonodular synovitis'). We show through those patients that both types of MGCL are not PTPN11-specific, but rather represent a low penetrant (or perhaps overlooked) complication of the dysregulated RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. We recommend discarding NL/MGCL syndrome from the nosology, as this presentation is neither gene-nor allele-specific of Noonan syndrome; these patients should be described as Noonan syndrome with MGCL (of the mandible, the long bone...). The term cherubism should be used only when multiple giant cell lesions occur without any other clinical and molecular evidence of Noonan syndrome, with or without mutations of the SH3BP2 gene.

Central giant cell granuloma of the jaw: a review of the literature with emphasis on therapy options

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign lesion of the jaws with an unknown etiology. Clinically and radiologically, a differentiation between aggressive and non-aggressive lesions can be made. The incidence in the general population is very low and patients are generally younger than 30 years. Histologically identical lesions occur in patients with known genetic defects such as cherubism, Noonan syndrome, or neurofibromatosis type 1. Surgical curettage or, in aggressive lesions, resection, is the most common therapy. However, when using surgical curettage, undesirable damage to the jaw or teeth and tooth germs is often unavoidable and recurrences are frequent. Therefore, alternative therapies such as injection of corticosteroids in the lesion or subcutaneous administration of calcitonin or interferon alpha are described in several case reports with variable success. Unfortunately, randomized clinical trials are very rare or nonexistent. In the future, new and theoretically promising therapy options, such as imatinib and OPG/AMG 162, will be available for these patients.