Mixed radiolucent/radiopaque lesion of the mandible

Jaw lesions may be broadly categorized as cysts, odontogenic tumors, benign nonodontogenic tumors, inflammatory lesions, malignant nonodontogenic neoplasms, and metabolic and genetic lesions. The radiographic appearance and clinical presentation of this lesion allows us to rule out cysts and perhaps all remaining radiolucent lesions. Metabolic and genetic jaw diseases also can easily be excluded because of the patient's noncontributory medical history, physical examination, and laboratory analysis. This leaves some of the mesenchymal tumors and the mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumors for consideration in the odontogenic tumor category.