GIANT CELL LESION OR LANGERHANS' CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS OF THE MANDIBLE? A CASE REPORT

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), formerly known as histiocytosis X, is characterized by cell proliferation. The leading clinical symptom of LCH within mandibular and maxillary bones is pain and it may resemble periodontal diseases, apical cysts, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, vascular malformation, osteomyelitys, bone metastasis and malignancies. In this paper we present the case of a mandibular histiocytosis misdiagnosed as a reparative giant cell granuloma at the first and as an aggressive giant cell tumor at the second biopsy. Definitive diagnosis was made only after examination of surgical specimens following hemimandibulectomy.