Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the cranial bones: report of fourteen cases

Abstract

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia affects many bones of the skeleton and usually on one side only. In monostotic variety only one bone is affected. The condition which usually starts in early childhood is at first active, gradually becomes quiescent and finally with termination of skeletal growth becomes inactive and ceases to grow. These stages can be seen histologically as well as radiologically. The main feature is increasing calcification of the mass. In half of our cases there was an intracranial mass with signs of raised intracranial or intra-orbital pressure. In all of these cases the mass originated from the base of skull. Those growing from the vault of the skull grew outward. Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.