Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging of central giant cell granuloma: A comprehensive review

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging features of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jawbone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 26 CBCT studies of histologically proven cases of CGCG during a period of 20 years, from 1999 to 2019. Patients’ demographic data were recorded, and radiographic features were assessed (location, border, cortication, appearance of the internal structure, locularity, septation, expansion, cortical perforation, effects on surrounding tissue, whether the lesion crossed the midline, and lesion volume). RESULTS: In this study, CGCGs were seen almost twice as often in the mandible than in the maxilla, and 64.7% of mandibular lesions involved the anterior region. Only 26.9% of lesions crossed the midline, a feature that was considered characteristic of CGCG. Furthermore, 65.4% of lesions were unilocular and 34.6% were multilocular. The correlation between a lesion’s size and its locularity was statistically significant, and larger lesions showed a multilocular appearance. The mean volume of multilocular lesions was greater than that of unilocular lesions. CONCLUSION: CGCGs showed variable radiographic features on CBCT, and this imaging modality is highly effective at demonstrating the radiographic spectrum and lesional extent of CGCGs in the jawbone.