Management of fibro-osseous lesions of the craniofacial area. Presentation of 19 cases and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION Fibro-osseous lesions constitute a rare benign type of pathology with a non-odontogenic lineage that affect the craniofacial area. According to Waldrom's classification, these lesions are divided into: fibrous dysplasia (FD), cemento-ossifying fibroma (COF) and desmoplastic fibroma (DF). MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosed with fibro-osseous lesions of the craniofacial area at the Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, during 1987-2009. A total of 19 cases were collected: 15 cases compatible with an FD diagnosis, 3 cases with a COF diagnosis and 1 case with a DF diagnosis. RESULTS In the differential diagnosis, entities having similar clinical manifestations in the maxillofacial area with possible involvement of teeth or manifestations present as an asymptomatic radiolucent image should be ruled out. We hereby present the management and development of patients treated in our hospital for fibro-osseous lesions. CONCLUSIONS Fibro-osseous lesions share many clinical and radiological characteristics in common, with histological features confirming the nature of the lesion. Management of patients should be individualized and case-specific, assessing the clinical evolution of each case and taking into account the benign nature and growth behavior of this type of tumors.