Osteomas of the craniofacial region.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical features of a case series of osteomas in the craniofacial region and to compare them with those described in the dental literatures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of 18 patients diagnosed with osteomas in the craniofacial region was performed. The age, gender, location, symptoms, and the radiological findings were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 13 women and 5 men from 18 years to 69 years of age (mean age, 42±27 years). Fourteen osteomas were found in the mandible (78%), two in frontal sinus, one in sphenoid bone, and one in maxilla.

CONCLUSION

Osteomas are benign tumors composed of mature compact bone or cancellous bone. They are essentially restricted to the craniofacial skeleton and rarely, if ever, are diagnosed in other bones.