Radiographic manifestations of multiple myeloma in the mandible: A retrospective study of 77 patients

Purpose: This retrospective study was done to determine the frequency and radiographic pattern multiple myeloma in the mandible. Patients and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with multiple myeloma were studied using skull and panoramic radiographs of the jaws made at the time of initial diagnosis. Results: Skull manifestations were present in 46.7% and jaw manifestations in 15.6% of the cases studied. The pattern of jaw involvement was characterized by osteolytic lesions without other radiographic manifestations of bone involvement. There was no relationship between the pattern of jaw and extra-gnathic involvement and increased M-component of secreted immune globulin. Jaw involvement was largely unaccompanied by oral symptoms. Conclusion: The results suggest that mandibular lesions are a common finding in multiple myeloma.