Cherubism. Findings in three cases in the same family

Cherubism with idiopathic gingival enlargement: A rare case report

Cherubism is a congenital childhood disease of autosomal dominant inheritance. It is a benign, familial giant cell lesion characterized by gradually progressive painless swelling of the jaws. Idiopathic gingival enlargement is a rare condition and may be associated with some uncommon syndromes. This case report describes an 11-year-old patient with unusual clinical form of gingival enlargement, cherubic facial appearance. Clinical examination revealed the presence of the hyperplastic gingiva, which completely covered all teeth. The bilateral swelling of mandible and the appearance of the sclera beneath the iris suggested cherubism. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination, which revealed multinucleated giant cells. Computed tomography scan showed multiple osteolytic zones in the mandible. A full mouth gingivectomy was performed in four stages. Lesion healed successfully, and no recurrence observed after 1-year follow-up. There was a marked improvement in esthetics and function through the surgical excision of the overgrowth.

A c.1244G>A (p.Arg415Gln) mutation in SH3BP2 gene causes cherubism in a Turkish family: report of a family with review of the literature

Objectives: The present study was aimed at advancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of cherubism by presenting a case study based on history, physical examination, typical radiological features, molecular and histopathological laboratory tests and a review of the literature. Study Design: This study began with a 7-year-old boy who was referred due to mandibular overgrowth. A panoramic radiograph revealed multilocular radiolucent lesions of the upper/lower jaws suggestive of cherubism. Overall, a total of four family members were tested for SH3BP2 mutations, namely two siblings and their parents. Both siblings had been clinically diagnosed with cherubism; however, the parents were clinically normal. Peripheral blood was collected from all participants and genomic DNA sequencing was carried out. Results: A missense mutation was found in the two affected siblings and their asymptomatic mother. The mutation was a 1244 G>A transversion which resulted in an amino acid substitution from arginine to glutamine (p.Arg415Gln) in exon 9. Conclusions: The present study emphasized the importance of further clinical and molecular investigation even when only a single case of cherubism is identified within a family. Genotype-phenotype association studies in individuals with cherubism are necessary to provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with this disease.

Key words:Cherubism, mandible, maxilla, SH3BP2, gene analysis, CBCT.

Aetiopathology of maxillary swelling--a 3-year prospective study

A wide variety of lesions and not necessarily a malignant tumour can cause maxillary swelling. Non-specificity of clinical and radiological features of these maxillary lesions makes their diagnosis difficult. Review of literature adds a little regarding the aetiopathological distribution of the various lesions causing maxillary swelling. We present our finding regarding the relative distribution of various conditions causing maxillary swelling. The awareness of the spectrum of pathology related to maxillary swelling is essential for correct diagnosis and treatment. Forty-eight patients who presented with a swelling of the maxilla to our hospital between May 1998 and April 2001 were prospectively studied regarding the clinical presentations, radiological features and histological findings. Maxillary swelling was found to be caused by malignant tumours in 54.2%, benign neoplasms in 22.9% and non-neoplastic lesions in 22.9%. Overall squamous cell carcinoma (22.9%) was the commonest lesion, tumour of vascular origin was the commonest benign neoplasm and odontogenic cyst was the commonest among the non-neoplastic lesions.

Two-Stage Surgical Treatment of Severe Cherubism

Cherubism is an autosomal-dominant syndrome characterized by excessive bilateral maxillomandibular bony degeneration followed by fibrous tissue hyperplasia. Eight patients (age, 6-15 years; mean, 11 years) with severe cherubism were treated with a 2-stage operation by the same senior surgeon (C.M.R.-A.) over an 18-year period, 1987 through 2005. Severity was based on a modified Motamedi classification system. The diagnosis was established clinically, radiographically, and histologically. Postoperative follow up ranged from 2 to 18 years (mean, 5.1 years). All patients underwent 2-stage surgical treatment. In the first stage, the anterior wall of the maxilla was osteotomized and removed (n = 5). The cherubic lesion was curetted from the maxilla and orbits. The maxilla was recontoured on the back table and then fixed orthotopically with wires. Alternatively, cortical bone windows were created, the maxillary and orbital lesions were curetted, and the maxilla was infractured and recontoured in situ with manual pressure (n = 3). Six months after the maxillary/orbital procedure, all patients underwent second-stage curettage and recontouring of the mandible using bony access windows and manual infracture. Satisfactory esthetic results were achieved in all patients. The patients remained clinically and radiographically disease-free throughout the follow-up period. The most profoundly affected patient sustained bilateral lower eyelid ectropion that resolved with full-thickness skin grafting. Although cherubism tends to abate by the fourth decade of life, early 2-stage surgical curettage provides a simple and reliable treatment that not only delivers immediate results, but also seems to arrest the growth of any remaining cherubic tissue.

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.

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.

Gingival fibromatosis combined with cherubism and psychomotor retardation: a rare syndrome

Gingival fibromatosis is frequently an isolated condition, but rarely associated with some uncommon syndromes. This paper describes an 11-year-old patient with pronounced gingival enlargement, cherubic facial appearance, and psychomotor retardation and discusses the major aspects of the case. The most striking finding orally was the presence of grossly hyperplastic gingiva, which completely covered all teeth except the occlusal surfaces of some teeth. The swelling in the lower part of the face and the appearance of sclera beneath the iris suggest cherubism. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of giant cell regenerative granuloma and perivascular eosinophilic particles and osteoclasts after biopsy of the mandible. In this case, surgery was the only effective way to treat the patient. A full-mouth gingivectomy procedure was performed under general anesthesia in 2 stages. The case was followed for 12 months and no recurrence was seen. An appropriate oral hygiene regimen was established.

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

An extensive case of cherubism in a 17-year-old girl with no apparent familial history is presented. The rationale for treatment is presented and is compared with previous reports that have advocated nontreatment. The clinical and histologic similarities of cherubism to central giant cell granuloma and the giant cell tumor of bone are also discussed.