Radiological findings of a 57-year-old male with follicular lymphoma of the mandible

Abstract

A 57-year-old male with follicular lymphoma of mandible presented with clinical and radiographic features suggestive of osteomyelitis. He was treated for his 'infection' over three years. Several biopsies taken from early 2007 to 2009 reported negative for malignancy. Radiographic findings over the same period showed diffuse radiolucent area at the right body/angle mandible that slowly extended anteriorly and posteriorly to his mid-ramus. The lesion had ill-defined borders. Following biopsy and histological examination, the lesion was diagnosed as follicular lymphoma. This case report highlights that malignancies like follicular lymphoma in the mandible can mimic osteomyelitis in the mandible both clinically and radiographically.