Osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis: an unusual case.

Chronic osteomyelitis with subperiosteal new bone formation results from periosteal reaction to chronic inflammatory/infectious stimulation. In the maxillofacial region, it has traditionally been termed Garrè's osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis and more recently periostitis ossificans. The term Garrè's osteomyelitis has been regarded as a misnomer by many authors in the recent literature. The term chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis, although cumbersome, is considered to be the most accurate description of the pathology. It usually affects the mandible of young patients secondary to dental infection. Management involves removal of the source of infection and antibiotic treatment. We present an unusual case of chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis affecting the mandible of a 12-year-old patient. The source of infection was related to the developing lower left third molar, which had apparently no communication with the oral cavity.