A case of osseous choristoma of the hard palate

Abstract

Choristoma is a tumor-like mass of normal cells in an irregular location. Osseous choristoma occurring in soft tissue in the oral cavity is rare. Herein we report a case of a 51-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with osseous choristoma of the hard palate. A painless mass measuring approximately 21 × 21 × 10 mm and covered by smooth, normal mucosa was observed on the left side of the posterolateral hard palate. Subsequent examination indicated a pedunculated mass with bone-like hardness. CT findings showed a bone-like radiopaque image that was clearly separate from the hard palate. The mass was surgically removed under general anesthesia. Histological examination of the excised specimen revealed that the tumor contained mainly osseous tissue, and no connection to the bone tissue of the hard palate was observed. According to these findings the mass was diagnosed as an osseous choristoma of the hard palate.