Radiological aspects of osteosarcoma of the jaws

OBJECTIVES: To categorize the radiological presentation of osteosarcoma of the jaws. METHODS: Conventional radiographs and CT scans of nine patients with histologically proven osteosarcoma were reviewed. RESULTS: Five patients were men and four women, aged between 20 and 51; four lesions were in the maxilla and five in the mandible. Three radiological presentations of osteosarcoma of the jaw were identified. The first was radiolucent, characterized by a total absence of bone formation within the tumour. The second had a mottled appearance with small areas of amorphous ossification separated by non-ossified tumour tissue. The third, with lamellar ossification, was typically characterized by bony plates irradiating from a focus like a 'sunburst'. CONCLUSION: Radiological diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw can be difficult because of its variable appearance. CT is particularly useful.