Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2010 Sep;40(3):149-153.

Multiple brown tumors of the jaws in primary hyperparathyroidism

• Kim KA
• Koh KJ

Abstract

Brown tumor is usually diagnosed at the terminal stage of hyperparathyroidism. Diagnosis of this tumor is confirmed by endocrinologic investigations along with clinical and radiographic examination. Radiographical differential diagnosis of this tumor includes central giant cell granuloma, aneurysmal bone cyst, metastatic tumor, multiple myeloma, and Paget disease. This report presents a rare case of multiple brown tumors occurring at the maxilla and mandible, which was initially misdiagnosed as central giant cell granuloma. Plain radiographs demonstrated multiple well-defined multilocular radiolucency. CT images showed soft tissue mass with low attenuated lesions, perforation of the lingual cortical plate, and a heterogeneous mass at the right thyroid lobe. These findings were consistent with parathyroid adenoma. The patient had hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase level. Surgical excision of the tumor was performed. No recurrence was observed during a 28-month follow-up.

Keyword

Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica; Hyperparathyroidism; Mandible; Maxilla

MeSH Terms

Alkaline Phosphatase
Aneurysm
Bone Cysts
Diagnosis, Differential
Follow-Up Studies
Granuloma, Giant Cell
Humans
Hypercalcemia
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism, Primary
Hypophosphatemia
Jaw
Mandible
Maxilla
Multiple Myeloma
Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica
Parathyroid Neoplasms
Recurrence
Thyroid Gland
Alkaline Phosphatase