A case report of osteochondroma of the frontotemporosphenoidal suture

Abstract

Osteochondroma, also known as osteocartilaginous exostosis, is the most frequent benign bone tumour of the skeletal system. Despite its preference for long bones (tibia and femur), osteochondroma may occur in some short bones developing endochondral ossification. Seventy-five percent of the patients present only with a single lesion, whereas 25% have multiple lesions; this last clinical condition, defined as osteochondromatosis (disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance) shows a high risk of malignant transformation (about 11%). In the craniofacial area this tumour is very rare. The sites of predilection are the coronoid process and mandibular condyle, even though osteochondromas arising from the base of the skull, maxillary sinus and zygomatic arch have been previously described. However, an osteochondroma originating from the frontotemporosphenoidal suture has not been reported before in the literature. We present a unique case of osteochondroma of the frontotemporosphenoidal suture. Moreover, the relevant international literature has been reviewed and all diagnostic and surgical matters have been discussed.