Fibro-osseous lesions of the head and neck

This review aims to overview key histopathological features and provide diagnostic clues for a selection of the fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws and facial bones. These form a diverse group of conditions with differing aetiologies but similar histological appearances and some may be part of more generalized systemic disease. It will become apparent that for this group of conditions, diagnosis cannot be made by examination of biopsy material by a pathologist in isolation and both clinical and radiological correlation are needed. However, there are some subtle histopathological features that can allow one diagnosis to be favoured over all others which will be outlined here. Identification of these in material sent for histopathological analysis should assist the multidisciplinary team in making a definitive diagnosis.