Unusual radiographic appearance of ossifying fibroma in the left mandibular angle

Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010 Jul;39(5):314-9. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/81820042.

Abstract

Ossifying fibroma is usually a unilocular lesion with a well-defined, thinly corticated margin radiographically, although various patterns have been noted. The patient was a 27-year-old woman with a painless radiolucent lesion demonstrated on panoramic radiography to involve the root-apex area of the left lower second and third molars. Radiographically, the lesion had some features of a benign tumour, such as an odontogenic myxoma. However, the deep invaginations towards the interalveolar septa suggested a simple bone cyst, whereas the irregular margin and lack of expansion or mandibular canal displacement were consistent with a malignant lesion. A hard tissue component was confirmed only by soft-tissue mode CT. Although this lesion was histopathologically diagnosed as ossifying fibroma, the conflicting imaging findings were challenging and very intriguing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Collagen
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibroma, Ossifying / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Jaw Cysts / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandibular Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Molar / diagnostic imaging
  • Molar, Third / diagnostic imaging
  • Odontogenic Tumors / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoblasts / pathology
  • Radiography, Panoramic*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tooth Apex / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Collagen