The importance of clinical and radiological findings for the definitive histopathologic diagnosis of benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws: Study of 276 cases

Radiological follow-up of cemento-osseous dysplasia on cone-beam computed tomography

This study investigated the natural course of cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Retrospectively, 104 CBCT scans from 36 patients (mean age, 44.5 years; 33 female and three male) with mandibular COD (10 florid, seven focal, 19 periapical) were included, based upon clinico-radiological features, without complications such as infection and related surgery. Changes in maximum diameter and morphology (lytic, mixed lytic-sclerotic, sclerotic) were evaluated in 83 lesions, with a mean follow-up of 28.3 months. The occurrence of a diameter increase was assessed by time-to-event analysis; interreader agreement for diameter and morphological evaluation by intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted κ statistics, respectively. Fifteen of 83 (18.1%) lesions (eight florid, one focal, six periapical) in 10 patients increased in diameter; 12 of 83 (14.5%) lesions (five florid, seven periapical) in 11 patients changed morphologically. The median period until a diameter increase was longest (120 months) for periapical COD, and shortest (66 months) for florid COD (p = 0.023). There was high reader agreement (ICC = 0.891; weighted κ = 0.901). In conclusion, CBCT is an effective tool with which to follow-up COD. If any, the natural progress in uncomplicated COD is prolonged, which underlines its non-surgical character and aids in its long-term management.

A Case Series and Literature Review of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia

Craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions (CFOLs) are a diverse group of relatively rare entities whose etiology ranges from reactive to dysplastic with a potential for malignant transformation. It is distinguished by the replacement of bone with fibrous tissue, that subsequently develops different degrees of calcification. Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a component of the fibro-osseous lesion spectrum. The clinical spectrum of FD is wide, ranging from minor monostotic lesions affecting a single bone to devastating polyostotic disease involving the entire skeleton. FD produces asymmetry, which impairs face aesthetics. FD leads to bone differentiation, disintegration, and disorganization. It depicts a cellular collagenous stroma lacking mitotic figures and pleomorphism. Blood capillaries are evenly distributed, as are elongated trabeculae of woven or lamellar bone with uneven curves (often referred to as the Chinese letters pattern). Three types of FD patterns can be identified by computed tomography (CT) imaging: a cystic pattern, a homogeneously dense pattern, and a ground-glass pattern. The cornerstone of treatment is surgery, although the method varies depending on the location, size, and symptoms of the lesion. As an alternative to surgery, the use of bisphosphonates to reduce osteoclastic activity is under consideration. In this case series, we present three cases of FD involving the maxilla and mandible. We aim to correlate the clinical presentation, histological features, and radiographic findings, to promote early diagnosis, treatment, and better prognosis of the patient.

Misdiagnosed long-standing unilateral nasal obstruction: ossifying fibroma of the inferior turbinate

A man in his 20s presented with complaints of unilateral nasal obstruction for the past 6 years that progressively worsened leading to irrational use of over-the-counter nasal decongestants. With the worsening of symptoms, a non-contrast CT was done. It showed a dense expansile sclerotic lesion of the right inferior turbinate, which was excised endoscopically. Cemento-ossifying fibromas of the inferior turbinate are rare and require assessment and surgical excision to relieve the symptom of nasal obstruction. It derives its name from the variable proportions of fibrous and mineralised tissue present in it and exclusively develops in the craniofacial region. It can be surgically managed by an endoscopic, an endonasal non-endoscopic (with a speculum) or an open approach (lateral rhinotomy, sublabial approach or mid-facial degloving). Here, we present how such a case was detected and managed surgically by the endoscopic approach, which is a minimally invasive option with shorter hospital stay and early recovery.

Pearls and pitfalls in the diagnosis of small oral biopsies

Pathologic processes affecting the oral and maxillofacial region include a heterogenous group of diseases with widely variable biologic behaviors. Proper patient management begins with the establishment of an accurate diagnosis, which often relies on histopathologic interpretation of small tissue samples from oral lesions. While confident diagnosis of small oral biopsies can be challenging, an understanding of oral and maxillofacial disease and consistent clinicopathologic correlation can help pathologists recognize inflammatory confounders and overcome common errors in specimen management, including insufficient sample size and non-representative biopsy samples.

Spontaneous Regression of Ossifying Fibroma in the Oral and Maxillofacial Region: A Rare Case With 4-Year Follow-Up

The case presented in this study is a rare instance of an ossifying fibroma (OF), a type of benign fibro-osseous lesions, spontaneously regressed without surgical intervention. A 9-year-old boy with an intraosseous lesion in the left maxilla was diagnosed as OF. The surgeon suggested surgical excision, but due to personal reasons, the patient and his parents deferred the surgery and opted for regular follow-up. During a 4-year follow-up, the surgeon found that the lesion had significantly decreased in size and the facial deformity had remitted. At the latest follow-up, the deformity of his left face became almost unnoticeable, and the lesion seemed to be subtle on cone-beam computed tomography images. This case highlights the possibility of spontaneous regression of OF. This phenomenon may occur due to the teeth eruption, which can lead to the formation of periodontal ligaments and engage the regression of OF.

Fibrous Dysplasia of the Jaw: Advances in Imaging and Treatment

A total of 7% of all benign bone lesions are diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia (FD). The symptoms of FD of the jaw range from asymptomatic to dental anomalies, pain and facial asymmetry. Due to its resemblance to other fibro-osseous bone lesions, misdiagnosis often occurs and can lead to inadequate treatment. Particularly in the jaw, this lesion does not become quiescent during puberty, making fundamental knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of FD crucial. Mutational analysis and nonsurgical approaches offer new diagnostic and therapeutic options. In this review, we examine the advances and the difficulties of the diagnosis and the various treatment modalities of FD of the jaw in order to capture the current scientific knowledge on this bone disease.

Cemento-osseous dysplasia is caused by RAS-MAPK activation

Cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) belongs to the spectrum of benign fibro-osseous lesions occurring exclusively in the tooth-bearing areas of the jaws. Depending on site and extent of involvement, periapical, focal and florid subtypes can be distinguished that share an identical histomorphology. Most cases are asymptomatic and follow a self-limited course requiring no specific treatment. Over time, lesions progressively mineralise while the cellularity decreases. However, the molecular pathogenesis of COD, has not yet been explored. We analysed a series of 31 COD samples by targeted sequencing and detected pathogenic hotspot mutations involving the RAS-MAPK signalling pathway in 5/18 evaluable cases (28%). The mutations were found in the BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, and FGFR3 genes. Our findings suggest that COD is driven by RAS-MAPK activation; however, the mechanism underlying the spontaneous growth arrest typically occuring in most of the lesions remains elusive.

Management of juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma of bone of the maxilla in a child: A case report at a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma (JTOF) is a rare variant of ossifying fibroma. Though it is benign, it has aggressive clinical behavior. JTOF may pose diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties due to their clinical, radiological and histological variability. Herein, we describe our experience in encountering this unusual disease entity in terms diagnostics as well as surgical procedure and the differential diagnoses to be considered.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 8-year old female child presented to our facility because of a rapidly growing right maxillary swelling. Clinical examination revealed facial asymmetry resulted from the swelling on the right side of her face extra-orally, especially in her posterior upper jaw which was about 12 cm × 7 cm in dimension. Intra-oral examination revealed solitary mass, well-defined, firm in consistency and non-tender. There were no palpable lymph nodes. Infra- orbital nerves were bilaterally intact. Based on the clinical findings and history, the differential diagnoses of ossifying fibroma, ameloblastoma and fibrous dysplasia were given. Clinico-pathological and radiological correlation confirmed the diagnosis of JTOF. Hemimaxillectomy and reconstruction of maxilla with a rib were performed. Afterwards, the child reported with normal facial appearance, acceptable aesthetics and better chewing function.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The clinical presentation of JTOF, and its rapid growth, can cause alarm of other pathologies such as osteosarcoma. The radiological features should reassure the practitioner and a histological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

JTOF is a benign tumor and it should be operated at an early stage because of its rapid growth.

The dilemma of juvenile fibrous dysplasia versus chronic osteomyelitis of the posterior mandible: A case report

The clinical and radiographic dilemma of fibrous dysplasia versus osteomyelitis is highlighted in this case of a 4‐year‐old girl with a bony hard swelling in mandibular body and ramus. Rather than relying on histopathological appearance alone, dental professionals should be familiar with the radiographic differences between the two conditions.

Ossifying Fibroma of Non-odontogenic Origin: A Fibro-osseous Lesion in the Craniofacial Skeleton to be (Re-)considered

In the cranio-facial skeleton, a heterogeneous group of well characterized fibro-osseous lesions can be distinguished. Whereas fibrous dysplasia can affect any skeletal bone, ossifying fibroma and cemento-osseous dysplasia exclusively develop in the cranio-facial region, with most subtypes restricted to the tooth bearing areas of the jaws. Herein we present a series of 20 fibro-osseous lesions that developed mostly in the frontal bone and in the mandible, presenting as expansile intramedullary tumors with a unique histologic appearance and an indolent clinical course. We provide evidence that these tumors are distinct from the categories included in the WHO classification and are therefore currently unclassifiable. The definition of cemento-ossifying fibroma as an odontogenic neoplasm developing only in close proximity to teeth should be re-considered and incorporate also extragnathic lesions as shown here.