Locally aggressive cavernous haemangioma of the mandible: an unusual presentation

Intraosseous haemangiomas, especially of the jaw bones, are rare benign vasoformative neoplasms of endothelial origin. They usually present as a firm, painless swelling of the jaw bone with or without facial asymmetry.1 Occasionally bleeding from the gingiva, mobility of teeth, pulsations, audible bruits and paraesthesia may occur. Clinically, the lesion may mimic ameloblastoma, arteriovenous malformation, central giant cell granuloma and aneurysmal bone cyst. Radiographically, a multilocular radiolucency with ill-defined margins is seen. CT, MRI and angiography may be needed to delineate the lesion.2 Since the radiological appearance is not pathognomonic, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, osteosarcoma, odontogenic myxoma, dentigerous cyst, fibrous dysplasia, keratocystic odontogenic tumour, aneurysmal bone cyst, schwannoma of inferior alveolar nerve and multiple myeloma may …