B-cell lymphoma of the mandible.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary malignant lymphoma of the mandible is rare. It is frequently mistaken for a dental lesion, delaying diagnosis. We here report a case of mandibular lymphoma and present the clinical and radiological characteristics and means of treatment of this pathology. CASE REPORT A 17-year-old woman consulted for right facial tumefaction with 1 year's evolution. Clinical examination found a mass facing the horizontal branch of the mandible, extending to the right parotid region without cutaneous involvement. CT and MRI showed a large expansive process of mandibular origin with parotid, temporal and intracranial extension. Biopsy indicated large B-cell lymphoma. The patient showed good evolution 2 years after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Lymphoma is the second most frequent form of head and neck tumor, after epidermoid carcinoma. Only 0.6% of locations are mandibular, almost always consisting of B-cell lymphoma. They are often initially misdiagnosed as a dental pathology. Complete remission after chemotherapy ranges from 60 to 80% at 1 year.