Huge peripheral osteoma of the mandible: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Osteomas are rare benign tumors of bone commonly occurring in the maxillofacial skeleton. In the course of their slow but steady increase in size, osteomas of the maxillofacial bones remain asymptomatic until they attain sufficient sizes as to cause disfigurement and/or direct interference with the normal function of their anatomic location. Here, we report a case of a huge solitary peripheral osteoma of the lingual posterior mandible in a 50-year-old woman who was otherwise in good health. The patient reported at the dental clinic because the lesion interfered with speech, swallowing, and caused occasional gagging. Histological examination confirmed the clinical impression of a peripheral osteoma. Treatment was by surgical excision and histological examination. The patient remains free of recurrence after 5 years.