Radiological and clinical features of aneurysmal bone cyst of the jaws

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological features of aneurysmal b one cyst (ABC) of the jaws. Materials and methods: A total of 64 cases (60 from the English-language li terature and four new cases) were studied and critically evaluated with emp hasis on the radiological features. Results: Age at time of initial diagnosis ranged from 4-78 years, with a me an age of 21.5 years and median age of 17 years. There were no differences in gender distribution. The ratio between the mandible and maxilla was 2.4. 1. Ninety-two per cent of the lesions were located in the posterior region of the jaws. Lesions were radiolucent in 87% of cases, radiopaque in 2% and mixed in 11%. Fifty-three per cent were multilocular, 43% unilocular and 3 % not loculated. The border of the lesions was defined but not corticated i n 39%, well defined in 33% and diffuse in 28%. Conclusions: ABC has a variable radiological appearance and should be consi dered in the differential diagnosis of any unilocular or multilocular radio lucent lesion of the jaws as well as any mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesio n.