Case of the Week: Hyperparathyroidism with a Brown Tumor 2


This week I have a case with two interesting findings. The first is hyperparathyroidism which typically presents with a ground-glass appearance in the jaws instead of normal bone trabeculation.  This appearance is visible in all bones of the body and not just the jaws.  In some cases (~10%) there is absence of lamina dura surrounding the teeth.

hyperparathyroidism with brown tumor pantomographThis case shows the decreased bone trabeculation giving it a ‘ground-glass’ or granular appearance. There is also a well-defined, multilocular radiolucent entity in the right/anterior mandible that is consistent with a brown tumor. Brown tumors occur in patients who have had the disease for a long period of time.  They present radiographically similar to a central giant cell granuloma and histologically are the same as well.

Due to the two findings of this radiograph, I have two videos to share with you on hyperparathyroidism and central giant cell granuloma.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thanks and enjoy!


2 thoughts on “Case of the Week: Hyperparathyroidism with a Brown Tumor

    • Dr. Shawneen Gonzalez Post author

      I’m happy to hear you passed! 🙂 Congratulations and also glad to hear you are finding this site useful.

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