Craniomaxillofacial fibrous dysplasia.

Fibrous dysplasia is a nonneoplastic developmental disease of osseous tissue. It is a lesion of unknown etiology, uncertain pathogenesis, and diverse histopathology. In this series of 16 patients with fibrous dysplasia of the craniomaxillofacial bones, the disease was generally monostotic and most commonly maxillary in location. Two patients demonstrated typical symptoms of the McCune Albright syndrome. Marked deformity or functional disturbances were the major indications for treatment. Total excision of the involved bone was the most successful form of treatment but produced the greatest functional and cosmetic deficits and long-term postoperative complications. A conservative therapeutic approach with a modest reduction in the bulk of these lesions may be sufficient to relieve signs and symptoms effectively. Periodic follow-up is indicated to detect recurrences or malignant changes in the early stages.