Differential diagnosis of a salivary gland bone defect by means of computerized tomography: A case report

Authors

  • Filipe Miguel Araújo Universidade Católica Portuguesa
  • Tiago Marques
  • André Correia
  • António Silva
  • João Tinoco

Keywords:

Stafne cavity, tomography, bone defect

Abstract

Purpose: Salivary gland bone defects are rare entities, generally asymptomatic and found in routine imaging exams. This paper reports the use of computed tomography (CT) with tridimensional rendering to investigate the differential diagnosis of a unilateral radiolucent area located near the angle of the left mandible, below the mandibular dental nerve canal. Case Description: A 71-year-old Caucasian male subject attended the University Dental Clinics of the Portuguese Catholic University, in Viseu, Portugal, seeking routine dental treatment for oral rehabilitation. Radiographic examination showed a radiolucent unilocular image, well circumscribed, located in the horizontal ramus of the left side of the mandible, near its angle, below the mandibular dental nerve canal. No teeth contact to the radiolucent image was detected. In the panoramic digital radiograph the image had 12 mm mesio-distal width. A CT scan with tridimensional rendering was performed to refine the measurements of the lesion dimension and its relation with other anatomical structures. Conclusion: According to the clinical and radiographic findings and based on the dental literature, it was concluded that the observed bone cavity was a Stafne bone defect, located in the angle of the mandible below the mandibular dental nerve canal.

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Published

2008-11-10

Issue

Section

Case Report