RADIOGRAPHIC MANIFESTATIONS OF MULTIPLE-MYELOMA IN THE MANDIBLE - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 77 PATIENTS

Purpose: This retrospective study was done to determine the frequency and radiographic pattern multiple myeloma in the mandible. Patients an d Methods: Seventy-seven patients with multiple myeloma were studied u sing skull and panoramic radiographs of the jaws made at the time of i nitial diagnosis. Results: Skull manifestations were present in 46.7% and jaw manifestations in 15.6% of the cases studied. The pattern of j aw involvement was characterized by osteolytic lesions without other r adiographic manifestations of bone involvement. There was no relations hip between the pattern of jaw and extra-gnathic involvement and incre ased M-component of secreted immune globulin. Jaw involvement was larg ely unaccompanied by oral symptoms. Conclusion: The results suggest th at mandibular lesions are a common finding in multiple myeloma.