Delayed mandibular reconstruction following removal of a mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: Report of a case

Abstract

An unusual case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is presented. Initially seen when the patient was 8 years old, the lesion was repeatedly biopsied and curetted with a diagnosis of odontogenic fibroma. In 1971 a diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the chondroblastic type was made. At that time, the patient underwent a partial mandibulectomy with immediate graft. The patient did well until 1981, when a recurrence of the lesion was noted. The microscopic diagnosis at this time was mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. The treatment of this lesion as a staged procedure with initial resection of the mandible and placement of a silicone rubber mandibular prosthesis is discussed. The second stage of the procedure was definitive mandibular reconstruction, with an allogeneic mandible as a crib for autologous particulate cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Although the prognosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is usually grave, this case is unusual because of its long history of multiple procedures performed prior to the definitive treatment of the lesion 14 years after its discovery. Two-year follow-up since the definitive mandibular reconstruction shows adequate range of motion, excellent healing, and no recurrence.