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Gorham's massive osteolysis of the mandible – a progressive radiographic presentation

¹Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India; ²Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

*Correspondence to: HP Raghuveer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Flat No. 14, Viswas Apartment, 5th Main Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 003, Karnataka, India; E-mail: prof.hpr{at}rediffmail.com

Received 22 April 2008; revised 27 May 2008; accepted 26 June 2008

Massive osteolysis is well known under the synonyms Gorham's disease, vanishing bone disease and phantom bone disease. It is a rare condition of unknown aetiology and results in the progressive destruction of bony structures. Only a few cases have been reported in the jaws. Considering the rarity of the condition, we report here an interesting and unique case of massive osteolysis of the lower jaw that initially affected the mandibular basal and alveolar bone, and subsequently involved the rami and the condyles. The clinical and radiological findings were consistent with the criteria for the diagnosis of Gorham's massive osteolysis.

Keywords: Gorham's disease, osteolysis, mandible, idiopathic resorption