Radiographic enlargement of mandibular canal as an extranodal primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma early sign in an asymptomatic patient

Abstract

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder, from a subgroup of heterogeneous hematologic malignancies; the term "extranodal" refers to malignant involvement of tissues other than lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, pharyngeal lymphatic ring, or thymus. Only 0.6% of all NHL are at mandible alone, and it may involve the inferior alveolar canal. We describe a case of bilateral enlargement of the mandibular canal without symptomatology, which was shown in a panoramic radiograph and cone beam computed tomography in a rehabilitation routine exam, as an early sign of primary extranodal NHL.