Gardner syndrome associated with multiple osteomas, intestinal polyposis, and epidermoid cysts

A 7-year-old boy was referred to the Chonbuk National University Dental Hospital from a dental clinic in February 2012 for the further evaluation of radiopaque masses in the left mandibular body on panoramic view. A panoramic radiograph showed relatively well-defined multiple radiopacities in both maxillary posterior regions encroaching the maxillary sinuses, a well-defined round radiopacity surrounded by a radiolucent line in the left mandibular premolar area, and multiple diffuse radiopacities in both jaws (Fig. 1). A post-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) image showed multiple mildly enhanced soft tissue masses on the subcutaneous areas of the scalp (Fig. 2). Cone-beam CT (CBCT) images showed multiple radiopaque masses in the right maxilla encroaching the maxillary sinus (Fig. 3A, black arrows), multiple diffuse radiopacities in the mandible (Fig. 3B, white open arrows), and multiple radiopacities encroaching the maxillary sinuses and ethmoidal sinuses (Fig. 3B, black arrows).

Fig. 1
A panoramic image shows relatively well-defined multiple radiopacities in both maxillary posterior regions encroaching the maxillary sinuses (black arrows), a well-defined round radiopacity surrounded with a radiolucent line in the left mandibular premolar area (white arrow), and multiple diffuse radiopacities in both jaws.

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Fig. 2
A post-enhanced coronal computed tomography image shows multiple mildly enhanced soft tissue masses on the subcutaneous areas of the scalp.

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Fig. 3
A. An axial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image shows multiple radiopaque masses in the right maxilla encroaching the maxillary sinus (black arrows). B. A coronal CBCT image shows multiple diffuse radiopacities in the mandible (white open arrows), and multiple radiopacities encroaching the maxillary sinuses and ethmoidal sinuses (black arrows).

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According to the medical history obtained at the Department of Dermatology in May 2008, the patient had multiple subcutaneous nodules on the scalp and the back without any clinical symptoms. In August 2010, histopathological findings of the lesions on the scalp (Fig. 4) revealed multiple epidermoid cysts (Fig. 5). In January 2014, because the patient exhibited multiple radiopaque masses in both jaws and multiple epidermoid cysts on the scalp, this case was suspected to be Gardner syndrome by diagnosticians at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Therefore, a gastrointestinal endoscopy was recommended. In January 2015, a gastrointestinal endoscopic examination revealed multiple polyposes in the upper gastrointestinal tract (Fig. 6A) and fundus of the stomach (Fig. 6B). As a result, the final diagnosis was Gardner syndrome. This patient had no familial history of major illness. The multiple epidermoid cysts on the glabella and scalp were excised, and osteoma of the exposed bone on the vertex was removed at the Department of Plastic Surgery. Additionally, an osteoma in the right maxillary tuberosity (Fig. 7A) and a complex odontoma in the left mandibular body (Fig. 7B) were removed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Radiographic images revealed that the sizes of the radiopaque masses were the same as those observed in 2012. Two years later, delayed eruption of the left mandibular second premolar was observed (Fig. 8) (white open arrows). Therefore, the orthodontic treatment of the left mandibular second premolar is in process.

Fig. 4
A photograph of the patient's scalp shows multiple nodules on the scalp.

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Fig. 5
Histopathologic examination of the nodules on the scalp shows a cystic wall with lining epithelium (H&E stain, ×200).

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Fig. 6
A. An endoscopic examination shows multiple polyposes on the upper gastrointestinal tract. B. Endoscopic examination showing multiple polyposes on the fundus of the stomach.

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Fig. 7
A. A photomicrograph of the decalcified section of the radiopaque mass in right maxillary posterior region shows dense and lamellar cortical bone with narrow bone marrow spaces (H&E stain, ×50). B. A photomicrograph of the decalcified section of radiopaque mass in the left mandibular body shows irregularly deposited cementum, dentin, and enamel matrix (H&E stain, ×50).

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Fig. 8
A. Two years after removal of the complex odontoma in the left mandibular body and osteoma in the right tuberosity, a panoramic image shows the remaining radiopaque lesions in both sides of the maxilla and diffuse enostoses in both jaws (white open arrow). B. A sagittal cone-beam computed tomography image shows multiple enostoses with impaction of the left mandibular second premolar (white open arrow).

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Some studies have reported that 30%-75% of patients with Gardner syndrome have dental anomalies,9, 13 and that 68%-82% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis have osteomas.13, 14 Cankaya et al.15 reported a case of a Gardner syndrome with jaw deformities.

Osteomas are benign tumors composed of mature compact or medullary bone and are classified as either peripheral or central.6, 16 The most common site for the occurrence of osteomas is the mandible, where they appear as radiopaque masses attached to the surface of the cortex. They may be attached by a broad base, or they may be pedunculated. In the skull, osteomas form on the surface of the external table, and they may also project in the sinuses.17 However, the osteomas that originate in the bone medulla mimic enostoses.7 The central portion of the jaws may exhibit multiple areas of radiopacity. Enostoses are localized growths of compact bone that extend from the endosteal surface of cortical bone into the cancellous bone. They are more common in the mandible than in the maxilla. Their periphery is usually well defined but occasionally blends into the surrounding bone. However, they have no radiolucent line surrounding the radiopaque mass. The internal structure of an enostosis usually appears as a homogeneous radiopacity. In very rare cases, enostoses can inhibit the eruption of a tooth. The present case had multiple enostoses in both jaws, and the eruption of the left mandibular second premolar was delayed by the adjacent enostoses.

Compound odontomas17 and hypercementosis4, 9, 18 have also been reported to develop in patients with Gardner syndrome. The present case showed a complex odontoma in the left mandibular body and impacted teeth with multiple enostoses, but the involved teeth did not show hypercementosis.

It is important for dentists to be aware of this syndrome, since multiple osteomas often precede the onset of colonic polyps.6 The osteomas of the jaw most frequently appear during the second and third decades of life,7 and they are often detected due to a deformity of the jaw or face. These patients are then frequently seen by a dentist before any symptoms in the colon are apparent. Since malignant changes occur in 100% of these polyps, and because the syndrome is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, the familial history should be checked.9

The radiographic findings of this patient revealed osteomas in both sides of the maxilla encroaching the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal sinuses, and calvaria. Additionally, the dental radiographs revealed multiple enostoses in both the maxilla and mandible. However, Herrmann et al.1 reported that the concomitant occurrence of multiple epidermoid cysts, osteomas, and thyroid gland nodules may not be diagnostic for Gardner syndrome in the absence of intestinal polyposis. Since the radiographic findings of this patient showed multiple osteomas, multiple enostoses, and a complex odontoma, the authors were able to suspect Gardner syndrome before the detection of intestinal polyposis. In light of the association between osteomas of the jaw and multiple intestinal polyposes, it seemed reasonable to suspect Gardner syndrome. This patient and his family members had no history of malignancy or familial history of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Multiple radiopaque masses should be differentiated from florid osseous dysplasia (FOD)19 or familial gigantiform cementoma.12, 20 FOD is a widespread form of periapical cemental dysplasia (PCD). Normal cancellous bone is replaced with dense, cemento-osseous tissue in fibrous connective tissue. FOD lesions usually are bilateral and present in both jaws. The lesions usually occur in periapical and interdental areas. In the mandible, lesions occur above the mandibular canal. They usually have well-defined borders similar to PCD. The internal structure can vary from mixed radiolucent and radiopaque regions to radiopaque areas according to the growth stage of the lesions. The radiopaque regions show an amorphous area of calcification. These calcified masses are similar in appearance to those seen in mature PCD lesions. Large FOD lesions can displace the mandibular canal inferiorly, displace the antral floor superiorly, and cause expansion of the jaw.19 The well-defined nature of FOD with its radiolucent line is useful in radiographic findings for making the differential diagnosis. CBCT and CT images of this patient showed multiple well-defined radiopacities, but the multiple radiopaque lesions did not show surrounding radiolucent lines, except for the radiopaque mass in the left mandibular body region.

On the basis of the simultaneous observation of multiple osteomas, complex odontoma, and multiple enostoses, we were able to predict a diagnosis of Gardner syndrome before the detection of intestinal polyposis. Thus, dentists might have an important role to play in the early diagnosis of Gardner syndrome.