Unusual maxillary osteoblastic and osteolytic lesions presenting as an initial manifestation of childhood acute myeloid leukemia: A case report

Changes in facial bones may represent a manifestation of systemic disease. Dentists play an important role in the early detection of these manifestations of complex systemic diseases. A case of unusual maxillary mixed (osteoblastic and osteolytic) lesions as an initial manifestation of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is presented. A 12-year-old male patient was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine complaining of severe swelling in the right buccal region. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) showed enhanced FDG uptake in the right maxillary sinus. In addition, PET maximum intensity projection image showed diffused FDG uptake in the entire bone marrow. Bone marrow aspiration was performed on the lumbar vertebra, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated AML. The patient was diagnosed with AML (M5a) and treated with chemotherapy by the pediatric department. Six months later, the patient achieved complete remission. After chemotherapy, the disappearance of the osteoblastic and osteolytic lesion and 18F-FDG accumulation were confirmed by PET/CT. Dentists should be familiar with oral manifestations of leukemia because early detection of oral lesions would increase the life span of the patients and reduce the severity of complications. Parole chiave: leukemia, mixed lesion, oral manifestation, osteoblastic, osteolytic