DIAGNOSIS OF MANDIBULAR LESIONS BY RADIOLOGICAL AND IMAGING MODALITIES

Abstract

Mandibular lesions are the most common pathologic condition that affect the jaws. The importance of accurate diagnosis of mandibular lesions is that they cause disfigurement of the face, deformity of the bone, swelling, pain and looseness of the teeth.

Radiological and imaging techniques are­ important in early diagnosis of these lesions and detect site, s1ze and extension of lesions. Radiological techniques like intraoral, extraoral radiographic, panoramic and tomography are important m evaluating the anatomy of teeth apices and adjacent bone, also in evaluating the relationship of the tooth to the pathologic lesions.

Imaging techniques like CT, MRI, U/S, and radionuclide play an important role in diagnosis of mandibular lesions. The role of CT is the diagnosis of expansion, destruction, and extraosseous extension. MRI take the upper hand in differentiation between solid and cystic lesions components. This differentiation is useful in younger patients with cystic lesion in which surgical intervention is not indicated such as haemorrhagic bone cyst, and also in the diagnosis of temporomandibular dislocation.