LAP Lambert Academic Publishing Mixed Radio-lucent Radio-Opaque Lesions of the jaw: an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon's Guide

Mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesions are the pathological entity that could arise due to a variety of conditions ranging from inflammatory, metabolic conditions, fibro-osseous lesions or less commonly, malignant process.A mixed radiolucent-radiopaque appearance can result from the presence of two or more tissues with different radiographic densities, varying degrees of maturation of the inflammatory soft tissue within the lesion, and localised resorption and apposition of new bone within or around the lesion.The normal anatomic structures and disease states that produce mixed radiolucent- radiopaque images on radiographs present a particular challenge in that a wide variety of normal and pathologic conditions can produce them.These lesions are difficult to distinguish from each other based only on radiography. A proper patient history, clinical examination and an analytical approach to radiographs together aids in arriving at a diagnosis.The treatment of these lesions vary according to size, site, origin, histological behaviour, general physical condition of the patient etc. They can range from conservative to radical appoaches like, simple contouring, enucleation.