Cherubism: report of an aggressive case and review of the literature

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.

Clinical and radiological evaluation of cherubism: A rare case report

Cherubism is a rare, non-neoplastic, genetic disorder, characterized by painless bilateral swelling of the jaws. A 5-year-old girl presented with a painless, bilateral symmetrical swelling of both mandible and maxilla. Intraoral examination revealed malocclusion with displacement of teeth and expansion of the alveolar ridges. There was a bilateral expansion of the jaws. In conclusion, cherubism is a genetic disorder that has non-neoplastic bone lesions that affect the jaws. If there is a functional or esthetic problem, it should be treated surgically. The surgical treatment is usually delayed until after puberty.

A possible case of cherubism in a 17th-century Korean mummy

Cherubism is a benign fibro-osseous disease of childhood limited specifically to the maxilla and mandible. The progressive replacement of the jaw bones with expansile multilocular cystic lesions causes eventual prominence of the lower face, and hence the classic “cherubic” phenotype reflecting variable extents of jaw hypertrophy. Histologically, this condition has been characterized as replacement of the normal bone matrix with multicystic pockets of fibrous stroma and osteoclastic giant cells. Because of radiographic features common to both, primarily the presence of multiloculated lucencies with heterogeneous “ground-glass” sclerosis on CT imaging, cherubism was long mistaken for a craniofacial subtype of fibrous dysplasia. In 1999, however, the distinct genetic basis for cherubism was mapped to chromosome 4p16.3 and the SH-3 binding protein SH3BP2. But while there are already three suspected cases of fibrous dysplasia amongst archaeological populations, no definitive cases of cherubism have yet been reported in historical populations. In the current study we describe micro- and macro-structural changes in the face of a 17^th century Joseon Dynasty Korean mummy which may coincide with the clinic-pathologic and radiologic features of cherubism.

Cherubism: panoramic and CT features in adults

OBJECTIVES

To describe the panoramic radiographic and CT features of cherubism in an unselected series of 15 adults.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 15 individuals aged 29-84 years with familial non-syndromal molecularly confirmed cherubism were examined with panoramic radiography and CT. Bone abnormalities were analysed and described.

RESULTS

11 (73%) of the 15 adults had mandibular abnormalities. These abnormalities ranged from subtly detectable to severe, and were less prevalent and expansive but could be rather similar to the characteristic image features in children. Unilocular radiolucencies were more common than multilocular radiolucencies, and a specific feature of these abnormalities was that they were exclusively found in the anterior mandible.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiographic and CT abnormalities of cherubism in adults were frequent and extremely heterogeneous, with some distinct features.

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.

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.

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.

The aggressive form of cherubism: report of two cases in unrelated families

Cherubism is a benign lesion that causes painless symmetrical enlargement of the jaws, usually with a familial tendency. We describe in two Chinese families two cases of the aggressive form of cherubism with extensive swelling on both sides of the mandible, typical microscopic findings, and apparent familial history.

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.

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.

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.

[Clinical and molecular genetic observations on families with cherubism over three generations]

BACKGROUND

Cherubism is a rare fibro-osseous disorder that almost exclusively affects the maxilla and mandible.

CASE REPORT

We report on three affected males in three generations in family A, and ten affected patients in family B. The youngest affected relative in family A also had craniosynostosis. His father and grandfather had cherubism and clubbed fingers.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Cherubism was mapped to region 4p16.3. Because of the associated craniosynostosis, we excluded the FGFR3 gene as a candidate gene for cherubism. The inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant with variable expression. The penetrance is 100% in males and 50-70% in females. We found incomplete penetrance in males, which does not conform with all publications.

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.

Orbital involvement in cherubism

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of a patient with orbital involvement in cherubism that prompted surgical treatment.

DESIGN

Single interventional case report.

INTERVENTION

Findings of the ophthalmic evaluation, computed tomography (CT) scans, intraoperative examination, and light microscopy of the specimens were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Globe displacement, orbital bony lesions detected on CT scans, histopathology, and postoperative results were assessed.

RESULTS

A 27-year-old female was seen with a slowly progressive superonasal globe displacement and a temporal orbital mass bilaterally of 6 years' duration. She had a history of cherubism, but her cheeks and jaws had a normal appearance instead of the bilateral fullness of the lower half of the face typical of the disease. CT scans demonstrated multicystic bony lesions arising from the orbital floors bilaterally. The masses were excised using an anterior transcutaneous transseptal orbitotomy. Histopathology demonstrated numerous giant cells in a fibrovascular stroma, confirming the clinical diagnosis of cherubism. Postoperative recovery was complete.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital involvement in cherubism may develop beyond puberty, after stabilization or regression of the lesions in the jaws. Patients with cherubism should be routinely evaluated by an ophthalmologist.

Cherubism: a 36-year long-term follow-up of 2 generations in different families and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationships between the varying clinical or radiographic features of cherubism.

STUDY DESIGN

Nonparametric statistics were used in a long-term follow-up of 18 patients through 2 generations from 6 Danish families.

RESULTS

The radiographic grade of cherubism was significantly related to sex, maximal buccal bone expansion, course of cherubism, and number of aplasia or ectopic impacted teeth, but it was not related to families. Normal dentition in nonaffected regions was present or was obtained in 14 of 14 patients (age, >14 years). Surgical treatment did not provoke growth of lesional tissue in 22 of 22 cases. Radiographically, the bone structure in the lesional areas was related to age in all grades of cherubism: new bone formation in radiolucent areas (age, >20 years), normal bone structure with multilocular sketches (age, 32 to 39 years), and completely normal bone structure (age, >41 years), also found in 7 of 7 carriers of cherubism (age, >32 years).

CONCLUSIONS

This group analysis verifies the knowledge of cherubism previously based on cumulative reviews of findings in single-family and case reports.

The gene for cherubism maps to chromosome 4p16.3

Cherubism is a rare familial disease of childhood characterized by proliferative lesions within the mandible and maxilla that lead to prominence of the lower face and an appearance reminiscent of the cherubs portrayed in Renaissance art. Resolution of these bony abnormalities is often observed after puberty. Many cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, although several cases without a family history have been reported. Using two families with clinically, radiologically, and/or histologically proved cherubism, we have performed a genomewide linkage search and have localized the gene to chromosome 4p16.3, with a maximum multipoint LOD score of 5. 64. Both families showed evidence of linkage to this locus. Critical meiotic recombinants place the gene in a 3-cM interval between D4S127 and 4p-telomere. Within this region a strong candidate is the gene for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3); mutations in this gene have been implicated in a diverse set of disorders of bone development.