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World J Radiol. Aug 28, 2024; 16(8): 294-316
Published online Aug 28, 2024. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v16.i8.294
Imaging approach for jaw and maxillofacial bone tumors with updates from the 2022 World Health Organization classification
Woongsoon John Choi, Peggy Lee, Penelope C Thomas, Tanya J Rath, Monique A Mogensen, Roberta W Dalley, Pattana Wangaryattawanich
Woongsoon John Choi, Penelope C Thomas, Monique A Mogensen, Roberta W Dalley, Pattana Wangaryattawanich, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
Woongsoon John Choi, Department of Radiology, M&S Radiology Associates, San Antonio, TX 78217, United States
Peggy Lee, Division of Oral Radiology, University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
Tanya J Rath, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
Author contributions: Wangaryattawanich P contributed to the concept of this manuscript; Choi WJ, Lee P, Thomas PC, and Wangaryattawanich P wrote the manuscript; Choi WJ, Lee P, Thomas PC, Rath TJ, Mogensen MA, Dalley RW, and Wangaryattawanich P contributed to the manuscript editing.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Pattana Wangaryattawanich, MD, Assistant Professor, Doctor, Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, United States. pattanaw@uw.edu
Received: August 5, 2024
Revised: August 22, 2024
Accepted: August 27, 2024
Published online: August 28, 2024
Processing time: 22 Days and 10.3 Hours
Abstract

Jaw and maxillofacial bone lesions encompass a wide variety of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathologies. These lesions can arise from various tissues, including bone, cartilage, and soft tissue, each presenting distinct challenges in diagnosis and treatment. While some pathologies exhibit characteristic imaging features that aid in diagnosis, many others are nonspecific. This overlap often necessitates a multimodal imaging approach, combining techniques such as radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to achieve a diagnosis or narrow the diagnostic considerations. This article provides a comprehensive review of the imaging approach to jaw and maxillofacial bone tumors, including updates on the 2022 World Health Organization classification of these tumors. The relevant anatomy of the jaw and dental structures that is important for accurate imaging interpretation is discussed.

Keywords: Mandible; Maxilla; Maxillofacial; Jaw; Tumor; Neoplasm

Core Tip: The imaging approach to jaw and maxillofacial bone tumors is multifaceted and pivotal in accurately diagnosing these lesions. Achieving accurate diagnosis and effective management requires a comprehensive understanding of jaw and dental anatomy, coupled with a nuanced interpretation of imaging modalities. Computed tomography scans are the primary tool for evaluating these lesions, offering detailed information on lesion size, shape, location, margins, internal matrix, and involvement of adjacent teeth. Magnetic resonance imaging complements this by providing high-resolution soft tissue contrast. Key imaging features for interpreting jaw and maxillofacial bone lesions include radiodensity, marginal definition, loculation pattern, relationship to adjacent teeth, erosion of teeth or bone, internal matrix appearance, patterns of osseous expansion, and the presence of soft tissue components. Among these, radiodensity is particularly important as it helps determine the nature of the jaw lesions and guides the diagnostic process.