Diagnosis and management of Stafne bone cavity with emphasis on unusual contents and location

Abstract

Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is a rare mandibular defect, and the diagnosis and management may be confused with the unusual contents and location. This report for the first time presented a case of SBC with a lymph node content. Meanwhile, a rare case of anterior SBC with fatty tissue content is reported. Typical SBCs with salivary glands content are asymptomatic and showed a well-shaped, ovoid, radiolucent image in the posterior mandible below the inferior alveolar canal in panoramic radiograph. The case of SBC with a lymph node content underwent surgical operation, and definite diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination. The case of anterior SBC with fatty tissue content is clarified by MRI confirmed the presence of the fatty tissue and avoided surgical exploration. Surgical interventions would be an unnecessary option in the management of SBC except for the doubtful cases or concomitant other pathologies. Keywords: Stafne bone cavity, Lingual mandibular bone defect, Lymph node, Fatty tissue, Anterior