Two Huge Maxillofacial Osteoma Cases Evaluated By Computed Tomography

Osteomas are benign osteogenic neoplasms or hamartomas with a very slow growth rate. Osteoma is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the paranasal sinuses. In the jaws, the mandible is more commonly involved than the maxilla. Osteomas may occur at any age, but most frequently are found in individuals older than 40 years. Although most osteomas are small, some may become large enough to cause severe damage, especially those that develop in the frontoethmoid region. Osteomas composed solely of compact bone are uniformly radiopaque and those containing cancellous bone show evidence of internal trabecular structure. To determine and evaluate the exact extension and internal structure of these lesions, computed tomography (CT) is a more useful imaging modality in comparison to conventional radiography. Hereby, we discuss clinical and imaging features of two osteomas (one in the ethmoid sinus and the other in the mandible) along with the main differential diagnoses and pathologic features.