Abstract
Osteoma of the jaw is a benign and slowly growing tumor which consists of cancellous or compact bone. This tumor is often asymptomatic unless it has grown to a certain degree. Enlarged osteomas can cause facial asymmetry or functional impairment.
In this report, a giant peripheral osteoma arising in the right mandible of a-67-year-old woman is presented. The lesion disturbed swallowing for about one year. Physical examination disclosed ari elastic-firm and nontender mass from the submental region to the right submandibular region, which caused minor facial asymmetry. Computed tomography revealed a hen egg-sized and well-circumscribed radiopaque mass with a bony density, arising from the inner surface of the right mandible. The mass was excised under general anesthesia. The resected material, 51 × 38 × 41mm in size, showed a bone-like appearance with a smooth and rough surface. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of relatively dense, compact bone with sparse marrow tissue. The histopathological diagnosis was a compact osteoma.
