Cherubism and its charlatans

Abstract

Cherubism is a rare hereditary condition characterised by progressive cystic proliferation of the mandible and maxilla in childhood, followed by post-pubertal involution of the process and jaw remodelling in adulthood. Its name is derived from the cherubic appearance that results from the jaw hypertrophy. Here, we present the case of a young boy with cherubism, in the context of his pedigree, to illustrate the clinical characteristics and their variable expression. We also seek to distinguish cherubism from central giant cell granuloma and giant cell tumour of the jaws, with which it holds a false synonymity. © 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.