Vanishing bone disease of the mandible - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Massive osteolysis (Gorham-Stout syndrome) is a rare condition of unknown etiology that is thought to result from a localized endothelial proliferation of lymphatic vessels resulting in destruction and absorption of bone. Osteolysis of the jaws has been reported in association with infection, cysts, neoplasia, and metabolic, endocrine, or hematologic abnormalities. Rare cases of idiopathic osteolysis have also been recorded. A detailed review from various peer reviewed journals has been discussed in this article.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the demographic distribution and possibilities of pathogenesis of Gorham-Stout syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A case report of vanishing bone disease of the mandible in a 60 year old female patient has been discussed. A detail review of literature highlighting the demographic distribution and pathogenesis of vanishing bone disease has been made.

RESULTS: Thirty eight percentages of these lesions appear in older individuals with a slight male predilection. 68.6% of the oro-facial massive osteolysis occurs in mandible has been reported. Variable etiopathogenesis such as vascular proliferation, increased levels of circulating cytokines and circulatory disturbances have been associated with this disease.

CONCLUSION: The Gorham-Stout syndrome though rarely seen in the facial skeleton, it is important to consider it in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the jaws.