The calcifying odontogenic cyst is unusual in that it is frequently found in conjunction with the histologic features of a variety of other odontogenic conditions. Two cases are reported, one of which contained areas histologically similar to the ameloblastic fibro-odontome and also showed condensations of cells in the stroma beneath epithelial strands proliferating from the cyst lining. In both cases the "ghost cells" stained strongly for disulphide groups but only occasional areas were positive for sulphydryl groups. No amyloid or "amyloid-like" material was detected. As no part of the current name is specific to this lesion it is suggested that the nomenclature should be changed--perhaps to "ghost cell dyst".

A review of 3612 panoramic radiographys from routine dental patients indicates that the mandibular canals are usually, but not invariably, single and bilaterally symmetrical. The position of the canal varies with respect to the lower border of the mandible and the apices of the roots of the teeth and this excludes its use as a set reference point for prosthetic or orthodontic assessment. Three distinct varieties of supplemental mandibular canals, large enough to be seen on panoramic radiographs, are described.

Standardized panoramic radiographs were used to determine and compare the prevalences of focal osteosclerosis (including condensing osteitis) and apical periodontal pathoses in a sequential presenting sample of 600 European and 600 Cape Coloured dental outpatients. Most cases of focal osteosclerosis were found in edentulous zones or associated with carious or inadequately restored teeth; however, some were subjacent to apparently sound teeth. Focal osteosclerosis of definite dental origin was just as common in participants aged 25 years and older as in younger individuals. While focal osteosclerosis occurred predominantly in the mandible, apical periodontal pathoses were distributed more evenly between both jaws.

A mandibular phantom was used to investigate the suitability of the panoramic radiograph for assessment of the mesiodistal angulation of teeth in the buccal segments of the mandible. This Plexiglas model, housing steel pins at known angulation, was radiographed with both panoramic and plane-film techniques. Results indicated that plane-film techniques were more accurate than the panoramic technique for assessing mesiodistal root angulation.

A case of chondrosarcoma of the mandibular condyle is described. With carefully taken tomographs, a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma of the mandibular condyle can be made with some degree of certainty, on radiological evidence alone. Chondrosarcomata of the mandibular condyle may manifest with the typical symptoms of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome. Tumours of the condyle can reach a large size without producing clinically obvious swellings. The literature pertaining to chondrosarcoma of the mandibular condyle is reviewed.

A case of periosteal benign osteoblastoma arising in the mandible of a Caucasion male aged 9 years is presented. A review of the literature has produced 24 additional benign osteoblastic neoplasms of the jaws which have been delineated as osteoblastoma or osteoid osteoma. There seems to be a predilection for these lesions to occur in males and in the mandible. Osteoblastomata occur most frequently in patients under 20 years of age whereas osteoid osteomata arise mainly in persons over 25 years of age.

In 1893, C. Garrè published an article dealing with the manifestations of acute osteomyelitis. Since then, his name has been associated with diseases such as Garrè's osteomyelitis, chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis, and periostitis ossificans, among others. Scrutiny of a translated version of the original article reveals that Garrè was not responsible for the description of the disease that now bears his name.