Fibro Osseous Lesions - Classifications, Pathophysiology and Importance of Radiology: a Short Review

Fibro osseous lesions (FOLs) are a generic designation of poorly defined group of lesions which are recognized to affect the jaws and the craniofacial bones which are known for their confusing area in diagnostic pathology. The disease comprises of varied processes in which the normal architecture of bone is replaced by fibrous tissue containing varying amount of foci of mineralization. Regardless of the advancement in molecular analyzing techniques, the classification, diagnosis, and management of FOLs remain confusing due to multiple histological and radiographic similarities. Even though the histopathology for all FOLs is similar, their behavior ranges widely from dysplasia, hamartoma to benign neoplasia with occasional recurrence and hence radiology plays a central role in their diagnosis. The article throws a light on the various classification systems given for FOLs by various authors at different times due to expansion in molecular studies and also highlights the role of radiographic and other imaging techniques in the diagnosis of FOLs, which will enable us to adopt a uniform terminology and to aid the surgical pathologist in the diagnosis of this diverse group of maxillofacial lesions.