Imaging Sci Dent.  2012 Jun;42(2):115-119. 10.5624/isd.2012.42.2.115.

Ultrasonographic findings of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the mandible: report of a case

• Shahidi S
• Shakibafard A
• Zamiri B
• Mokhtare M
• Houshyar M
• Houshyar M
• Amanpour S

• KMID: 1974419
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2012.42.2.115

Abstract

Today, ultrasound imaging is being widely used to assess soft tissue lesions in the maxillofacial region. However, ultrasound investigations of intra-osseous lesions are rare, especially for tumors of the jaws. This report emphasized the capability of this useful imaging modality in identification of the characteristics of malignant conditions involving the bone. Mesenchymal chondrosarcoama, one of the unusual malignant conditions of the jaw, was presented in a young male with significant facial swelling. Different imaging modalities parallel with the histopathologic investigation confirmed the diagnosis. Interestingly, destruction of the bony cortex and new bone formation with a characteristic "sun ray appearance", highly suggestive of sarcomas, was manifested on the ultrasonograph. Thus, this report presented the ultrasonographic features of chondrosarcoma of mandible and considered the ultrasonography to be a useful imaging modality to evaluate intra-osseous jaw lesions.

Keyword

Ultrasonography; Chondrosarcoma, Mesenchymal; Mandible; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

MeSH Terms

Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma, Mesenchymal
Humans
Jaw
Male
Mandible
Osteogenesis
Sarcoma
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Facial photographs reveal a large facial swelling on left side.

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  Fig. 2 Cropped panoramic radiograph reveals destruction of cortical bone in the region of left sigmoid notch and ascending ramus. Irregularity of cortical border in the region is observed.

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  Fig. 3 Axial CT (A) and coronal CT (B) images show a destructive lesion with spiculated periosteal new bone formation. New bone spicules are perpendicular to the original cortex, giving the so-called "sun ray" or "sun burst" appearance.

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  Fig. 4 Ultrasonographic image shows soft tissue component of the lesion with well-defined hypo-echogenic pattern and hard tissue component of the lesion with ill-defined hyper-echoic pattern. B, C, and D. Ultrasonographic images reveal the characteristic "sun burst" appearance of new bone spicules perpendicular to outer cortical plate which is consistent with CT findings.

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  Fig. 5 A. Histopathologic examination shows tumor mass composed of sheets of dysplastic spindle cells within a chondroid matrix (H&E stain, ×100). B. Malignant chondroid matrix with areas of calcification is manifested (H&E stain, ×400).

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