Facial asymmetry caused by mandibular osteoma: case report

Osteoma is a benign tumor that often affects the maxillofacial region. It exhibits slow growth and remains asymptomatic for prolonged time and may cause facial asymmetry or functional disorders when it reaches vast proportions. When osteomalacia is diagnosed it is important to check about Gardner’s Syndrome because up to 90% of patients with this syndrome may present skeletal abnormalities and osteomas. The objective of this paper is to report a case of a 54-year-old woman that related an 8-year evolution of a volume increase in the face. Clinical examination showed facial asymmetry and presence of nodular lesion located in the left region of the mandibule, painless and hard on palpation. Panoramic radiography showed radiopaque image limited to the left mandibular body and angle, suggestive of osteoma. Gastrointestinal review was requested and discarded intestinal polyps and Gardner’s Syndrome. The patient was submitted to excisional biopsy and microscopic examination of the tumor that confirmed the diagnosis of osteoma. Osteoma needs special attention due to the possible association with malignant lesions intestine and also by psychological and functional problems, when it reaches great proportions.