Recurrent osteoblastoma of the mandible: a case report

The CT and MRI features of benign calvarium and skull base osteoblastoma

OBJECTIVE

We retrospectively reviewed the CT and MRI features of patients with benign osteoblastoma in the calvarium and skull base (CSBOB).

METHODS

Nine cases of pathologically confirmed benign CSBOB were analysed retrospectively. The patients had undergone CT and/or MRI. Tumour location, size, and imaging features were reviewed and recorded.

RESULTS

The patients included four males and five females with a mean age of 27.0 years (age 14-40 years). The tumours were located in the frontal bone in 3 patients, the occipital bone in 3 patients, and in the parietal bone, sphenoid bone, and skull base in 1 patient each. On CT, the tumours measured 5.1 ± 3.3 (1.8-8.4) cm. Seven tumours were shown to have caused expansile bony destruction with an eggshell appearance and varying degrees of calcification or matrix mineralization. Multiple septa were observed in 5 tumours. Intracranial growth was observed in 5 tumours. On MRI, 7 tumours showed heterogeneous hypo- to isointensity on T1WI. Heterogeneous high signal patterns with low signal rims and septa were observed in 6 tumours on T2WI, and 4 showed a fluid-fluid level. On contrast-enhanced imaging, 6 tumours showed peripheral and septal enhancement, and 2 showed the dural tail sign.

CONCLUSIONS

Benign CSBOB is a rare tumour characterized by expansile bony destruction, septa, a sclerotic rim and calcification or matrix mineralization on CT and MRI.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The findings from this study contribute to a better understanding of benign CSBOB and provide valuable imaging features that can aid in its diagnosis and differentiation from other tumours in the calvarium and skull base.

Recurrent osteoblastoma of the maxilla

Osteoblastoma is a benign neoplasm which commonly occurs in the vertebral column and long bones. The tumour grows slowly and rarely recurs after surgery. This report presents the clinicopathological and radiological findings of a case of recurrent osteoblastoma in the maxilla. A 7-year-old male patient visited our department with chief complaints of left facial swelling and pain. A panoramic radiograph showed a homogeneous radio-opaque expansile lesion in the left maxilla. The lesion was thought to be fibrous dysplasia and the patient underwent a surgical excision using the Caldwell-Luc procedure. Histopathological examination of the lesion confirmed it as benign osteoblastoma. The lesion recurred 6 months after the initial surgery. CT images revealed a large mass with multiple internal calcifications. Subsequently, the patient underwent mass excision with subtotal left maxillectomy. Follow-up CT scans at 1 year intervals showed no recurrence for 5 years.

Aggressive osteoblastoma of the mandible

We report a case of aggressive osteoblastoma of the mandible, an extremely rare primary bone tumor of the maxillofacial skeleton. Although osteoblastomas are benign tumors requiring only curettage for cure, there is a small subset of tumors that exhibit locally aggressive behavior and have atypical histopathologic features. Differentiation from low-grade osteosarcoma is often difficult. There is some disagreement as to the proper classification of these tumors. The correct diagnosis must be based on clinical, radiographic and pathologic features. Surgical resection and reconstruction is the recommended treatment for these invasive lesions.

Osteoblastoma of the mandible: systematic review of the literature and report of a case

Benign osteoblastoma is a bone tumour that seldom occurs in the facial bones. The objective of this article is to add one more case of this rare lesion to the academic literature and to provide a systematic review of previously published cases. A new case of benign osteoblastoma is presented and clinical, radiographic and microscopic aspects, as well as differential diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are discussed. The importance of the correct diagnosis of this type of lesion is stressed, since it presents a clinical, radiographic and microscopic similarity to other bone lesions, including malignant tumours, which may lead the professional into conducting the case in an improper manner.

A review of osteoblastoma and case report of metachronous osteoblastoma and unicystic ameloblastoma

A case is reported of a young woman who, within a 2-year period, was diagnosed with an osteoblastoma at the apex of a maxillary molar and with a plexiform unicystic ameloblastoma in the posterior mandible. Previous cases of osteoblastoma occurring in the jaws are reviewed.