A swelling of the maxilla: a case report and differential diagnosis

Abstract

Ossifying fibromas are benign fibro-osseous tumors of mesenchymal origin. Although ossifying fibromas have principally been found in the jaw, they have also been reported in the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and temporal bones, as well as the orbit and anterior cranial fossa. Ossifying fibromas affecting the jaw exhibit variable behaviors ranging from slow growth to occasionally aggressive local destruction. In the present article, we discuss a differential diagnosis considered for maxillary swellings and report a rare case of ossifying fibroma occurring in the maxilla.

Keywords: Bone neoplasms; Maxilla; Ossifying fibroma; Tomography.

Fig. 1

Nodular exophytic growth in regions 27 and 28.

Fig. 2

Buccopalatal extent of the lesion.

Fig. 3

Orthopantomograph reveals bony overgrowth in the maxillary tuberosity region.

Fig. 4

Axial section of computed tomography at the mid root level of the maxillary arch shows a hyperdense shadow at the tuberosity region.

Fig. 5

Histopathology revealed peripheral fibroblastic proliferation, and imperfect ossification (H&E staining, ×40).

Fig. 6

Gross specimen from the lesion.