A radiographic study on resorption of tooth root associated with malignant tumors

Abstract

Key Words: resorption of tooth root, malignant tumor, resorption of alveolar bone Root resorption is a very important finding in the radiographic diagnosis of the oral and maxillofaeial region. However, there are few reports about root resorption related to malignant tumors. It is a commonly accepted theory that a malignant tumor does not cause root resorption because its invasion is too rapid. However, we have encountered many unexpected eases of root resorption associated with malignant tumors. In this study, we investigated the frequency and shape of root resorption in malignant tumors and considered the relation between tumor extension and root resorption.The subjects were 72 patients with pathologically diagnosed malignant tumors.Radiography showed that the roots of their teeth were in contact or involved with the tumors. We observed the radiographs and classified the findings into 2 types as follows:(1) resorption of alveolar bone (site of tumor invasion) : 1. alveolar-margin type 2. root-apex type.(2) resorption of tooth root: 1. spike type 2. knife-edge type.The root resorption rate for all cases was 43% (31/72). (There were 19 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 3 malignant lymphomas, 2 metastatic tumors, 1 poorly differentiated carcinoma, 3 undifferentiated carcinomas and 1 fibrosareoma.) Root resorption rate of alveolar-margin-type tumors was 37% (19/51), and that of the root-apex-type tumors was 57%(12/21). All alveolar-margin-type tumors showed spike-type root resorption, and all root-apex-type tumors were of the knife-edge type except 1 ease. Our study suggested that root resorption associated with malignant tumors is not rare and that the shape of root resorption may be related to the site of tumor invasion. In the ease of root resorption with resorption of alveolar bone, it is important to take malignant tumors into consideration as well as other diseases.

Diagnostic considerations in central odontogenic fibroma of the maxilla: 2 case reports

“…In this report, case 1 presented the clinical and radiological features of a crater-like depression in the palate and ill-defined bony destruction, respectively, which suggested a malignant tumor. Radiographs showed prominent external root resorption of the 3 teeth affected by the lesion, which was considered an exceptional finding because malignant tumors of the jaw generally do not cause root resorption due to the highly rapid rate of tumor invasion 11. Case 2 showed radiographic findings of cystic lesions around the apical region, indicating the presence of an infected radicular cyst and an adenomatoid odontogenic tumor of the extrafollicular type.…”

Fibrosarcoma of the mandible: case report of a unique radiographic appearance

“…Occasionally, the lesion erodes the roots of the involved teeth [8]. Kawai et al [9] reported root resorption in 31 of 72 malignant tumors, suggesting that root resorption in malignant tumors is not rare. The cortex is thinned or disrupted, and soft-tissue invasion is detected in up to 86% of cases of primary intraosseous FS of the jaw [3].…”