Mandibular osteoma in a case of Gardner's syndrome

Gardner's syndrome is characterized by the triad of intestinal polyposis accompanied by multiple hard- and soft-tissue tumors. Untreated, all patients will develop gastrointestinal cancer by the age of 40. Although incurable, progression can be prevented by close monitoring and prophylactic colectomy to prevent malignancy. Multiple osteomas of the head and jaw bones are common extraintestinal manifestations of Gardner's syndrome and can be helpful in the diagnostic work-up. The disease pattern should be known to the treating physician, since extraintestinal manifestations usually occur long before intestinal polyposis and early diagnosis is critical for the prognosis.