Radiological and clinical features of aneurysmal bone cyst of the jaws

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological features of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 cases (60 from the English-language literature and four new cases) were studied and critically evaluated with emphasis on the radiological features. RESULTS: Age at time of initial diagnosis ranged from 4-78 years, with a mean age of 21.5 years and median age of 17 years. There were no differences in gender distribution. The ratio between the mandible and maxilla was 2.4:1. Ninety-two per cent of the lesions were located in the posterior region of the jaws. Lesions were radiolucent in 87% of cases, radiopaque in 2% and mixed in 11%. Fifty-three per cent were multilocular, 43% unilocular and 3% not loculated. The border of the lesions was defined but not corticated in 39%, well defined in 33% and diffuse in 28%. CONCLUSIONS: ABC has a variable radiological appearance and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any unilocular or multilocular radiolucent lesion of the jaws as well as any mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesion.