A giant peripheral ossifying fibroma of the mandible: A rare case report

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is an unusual localized, reactive benign gingival growth. POF is usually small in size, it's measure <2 cm in diameter, but rarely reaches important sizes. The aim of this work was to present a rare case report of a giant peripheral ossifying fibroma of the mandible measuring >2 cm in diameter, misdiagnosed as peripheral myxoma.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with a large peripheral ossifying fibroma in the oral cavity measuring 6 × 4 cm in diameter. The patient presented with an asymptomatic, slowly growing gingival mass in the left anterior and posterior region of the mandible. It gradually increased in size for more than two years. The patient had a mild mental deficit; however, we performed biopsy surgery, which revealed a peripheral myxoma, and then treated the tumor by excision under local anesthesia. The final histopathological examination revealed a peripheral ossifying fibroma.

Clinical discussion: This case report shows that POF can grow and reach unusual dimensions that may contribute to occlusal problems. The diagnosis of POF is based on clinical and radiographic features. The histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen can misdiagnose the lesion; therefore, the final diagnosis is based on the histopathological examination of the complete excised lesion.

Conclusion: POF is usually small, but can reach a larger size. The histopathological examination of the entire lesion is of paramount importance to make a final diagnosis.

Keywords: Benign tumor; Case report; Mandible; Peripheral myxoma; Peripheral ossifying fibroma.