PATHOLOGICAL FRACTURES OF THE MANDIBLE - A DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT DILEMMA

Pathological fractures of the facial bones are relatively rare. Four p athological mandibular fractures are presented and the difficulty in d iagnosing the underlying cause and the dilemma of treatment choice are discussed with a review of the literature. The authors found the inci dence of pathological fractures of the facial bones in their series wa s 0.47%. Biopsy followed by rigid internal fixation, preferably with a n AO reconstruction plate bridging the area of pathology after its rem oval, permits normal function and allows good and undisturbed healing which will inevitably be prolonged in such cases.