Unusually Large Brown tumor of Mandible in a Case of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Mimicking Cherubism

• Published in: Indian journal of nuclear medicine Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 132 - 135
• Main Authors: Singhal, Alka, Baijal, Sanjay, Sarin, Deepak, Pathak, Atul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2018; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Bones; Calcification; Case Report; Development and progression; Histopathology; Hospitals; Hyperparathyroidism; Kidney diseases; Metabolism; Nuclear medicine; Parathyroid hormones; Radiology; Thyroid gland; Tumors; Vertebrae; Brown tumor; cherubism; floating teeth; hyperparathyroidism; jaw tumor; parathyroid adenoma
• ISSN: 0972-3919; 0974-0244
• DOI: 10.4103/ijnm.IJNM_145_17

We report here a case of unusually large brown tumor of mandible mimicking cherubism in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The patient is a young male with a large head and a protruding jaw with an open mouth appearance. Initial clinical appearance looked like cherubism. However further clinical, biochemical, and radiological evaluation revealed a large brown tumor in a case of prolonged secondary HPT, which was confirmed on histopathology. All of the typical advanced radiological features of HPT were noted, highlighting the severity of progression of the disease. This case emphasizes the need for surveillance of serum calcium levels on routine biochemical investigations as to enable an early diagnosis of HPT. With timely proper management, such cases should be on the decline in the future.