Abstract:
Stafne bone cavity belongs to the class of pseudocysts as a mandibular radiolucency image with well-defined borders. It is asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. CT scan is the best examination to identify characteristics and content of this image. This study aimed to highlight these radiological features to establish the correct diagnosis.
Keywords :
Mandible; Radiography, Panoramic; Salivary Glands; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Osteolysis.
A 62-year-old female patient presented with right mandibular pain related to the right first molar (46). Panoramic radiography revealed a well-limited lacunar image with a clear peripheral condensation border, located below the mandibular canal that was incidentally detected (Figure 1-A). At this stage, several diagnoses were possible, including keratocyst, ameloblastoma, and Stafne lacuna. A second-line mandibular computed tomography examination was performed. It showed a well-limited osteolysis involving both the spongious and the lingual cortical bone. The vestibular table was reduced without rupture (Figure 1-B). The mandibular canal was located below and medially to this osteolysis (Figure 1-B, 1-C), extending to the mandibular basilar border (Figure 1-C, 1-D). Narrow window sections with contrast injection revealed the presence of grease density tissue within the osteolysis, centered by tissue of glandular nature in communication with the submandibular gland (Figure 1-E, 1-F).
All these clinical and radiological features were in favor of Stafne bone cavity. It is a benign, asymptomatic, and rare bony depression of incidental finding, often found in the posterior region of the mandible1. It is due to an exaggerated depression caused by hyperplastic lobe of a salivary gland and classified according to the basis of its depth and content 2.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Funding : This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
A consent statement: A written informed consent was obtained in accordance with the journal’s patient consent policy.
Authors’ contribution: Dr. R. K. contributed to the study design, radiographs analysis, and writing of the paper. Dr. I. CH. contributed to the study design and radiographs analysis. Dr. T. BA. supervised the study, contributed to radiographs analysis, and to the writing of the paper.