Morbid changes of the mandible in familial polyposis of the colon.

The study was made to ascertain whether the radiographs of the mandible of patients with familial polyposis of the colon show osteomas. Orthopantomography of the mandible was taken in 10 cases of familial polyposis of the colon and 6 cases of the unaffected family members. And radiographic and histological studies were performed in another autopsied case. As a result, radiographic studies revealed sclerotic masses of the mandible in 10 of the 11 cases. In some cases, the changes were also found in the maxilla. The number of sclerotic masses ranged from 2 to 11, and they were associated with odontomas in 2 cases and impacted teeth in one case. Two of the 6 unaffected family members were found to have one or two sclerotic masses. At autopsy of a case died of cancer of the sigmoid colon, a radiographic study of the excised mandible revealed 11 sclerotic masses measuring 5 mm in diameter each, as well as one impacted tooth. A bucco-lingual cross action through the mandible in the canine area revealed central osteomas. Histological examination showed the osteomas were composed primarily of mature, lamellar bony tissue.