The hematopoietic defect of the jaws: a report of sixteen cases.

Biopsy of radiolucent lesions of the jaws has resulted in the identification of areas of hematopoiesis usually designated as focal osteoporotic marrow defects. The majority of the cases reported involve the posterior region of the mandible in a previous extraction site. Pain and swelling are not uncommon. Since the clinical and radiographic symptoms of hematopoietic defects resemble manifestations of other neoplastic and inflammatory diseases, it is important to continue to describe the properties of this interesting entity.