Elsevier

Journal of Endodontics

Volume 27, Issue 4, April 2001, Pages 304-307
Journal of Endodontics

Case Report
Stafne’s Bone Cavity in the Anterior Mandible: A Possible Diagnostic Challenge

https://doi.org/10.1097/00004770-200104000-00020Get rights and content

Stafne was the first to report the presence of “bone cavities” in the angle of 35 mandibles. Such cavities generally appear in the area between the mandibular first molar and the mandibular angle, and are not considered rare. One of their primary radiological diagnostic features is the characteristic location below the mandibular canal. Stafne’s bone cavity is relatively rare in the anterior mandible. The mandibular canal is not present in the anterior mandible. As a result, diagnosis in the anterior mandible may be missed. Needless treatment modalities such as endodontic treatment, bone trephining, and bone exploration may be conducted. The purpose of the present report is to describe a new case of Stafne’s bone cavity in the anterior mandible and discuss the differential diagnosis process. The dental computerized tomography scan is suggested as the most suitable noninvasive diagnostic and follow-up modality for this bony configuration in the anterior mandible.

Section snippets

CASE REPORT

A 49-yr-old male was referred to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine due to an ovoid asymptomatic radiolucency below the apex of the second left premolar tooth. A few months earlier, the radiolucency was found on a periapical radiograph during routine dental examination. The tooth was asymptomatic. In the periapical radiograph, the tooth also presented with a poor root canal filling and a diffuse periapical radiolucency. The ovoid radiolucency was located inferior to, but

DISCUSSION

Review of the English language literature reveals 29 cases of Stafne’s bone cavity (including the present one) found in the anterior mandible (2, 3, 6). Ages ranged from 20 to 64 yr. The highest prevalence was found in the 5th and 6th decades. A striking male predilection was recorded, with 80 to 90% of the cases occurring in men. Most of the cases were in the canine-premolar area. The discovery was during dental examination, and no symptoms were evident. Most presented as well-defined

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