Central Giant Cell Granuloma of the Mandible: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Central giant cell granuloma is a rare, benign giant cell tumor which commonly develops in areas near the teeth. It accounts for approximately less than 7% of benign tumors of the mandible. Clinically, central giant cell granuloma is classifed into aggressive and non-aggressive type, and usually requires surgical treatment. There has been no report of central giant cell granuloma in plastic surgery field of the country, and we report a case with a brief review of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. METHODS: A 23-year-old male presented with a hard, non-tender, growing mass with the size of 4.0 x 3.0 cm on mandible for several months. Computed tomography scan showed a solid mass within thinned outer cortex on mandible. The thinned outer cortex was excised with the mass and the inner cortex was partially removed burring. After the tumor removal, mandible was fixed by reconstruction plate. RESULTS: Pathologic report showed numerous large multinucleated giant cells, diffusely distributed in a background of ovoid-to-spindle-shaped mononuclear cells. There was no evidence of recurrence after 1 year follow up. Bony defect was regenerated and we removed the reconstruction plate. CONCLUSION: Removal of central giant cell granuloma results in defect of outer cortex, which can be reconstructed by using reconstruction plate, autologous bone graft or bone cement. We used reconstruction plate as a conservative method to induce secondary healing of the outer cortical defect area, which resulted in normal mastication and occlusion with no recurrence.