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The lingual mandibular bone defect, which is also known as Stafne's bone defect, is a rare entity commonly affecting the posterior lingual part of the mandible. Although this lesion usually contains normal connective tissue compartments, it may be misinterpreted as tumor like lesions. In this manuscript, based on the density analysis of the CT images and through use of a simplified quantification system, a novel approach has been introduced which attempts to differentiate the benign nature of the defect.
Keywords: Lingual Mandibular Bone Defect, Stafne's Defect, Computer Tomography, Dental Implants
Introduction
Stafne's bone defect, which is known as lingual mandibular cavity, was first described by Stafne in 1942.1 This rare entity characterized as a round or ovoid radiolucency which was well defined and located below the inferior alveolar canal; most frequently shows between the first molar and the angle of the mandible. The defect is more prevalent among men and is usually found accidentally during the diagnostic phase.2,3 It was believed that this entity is a developmental defect and may be produced by the inward pressures exerted by the salivary gland on bony surfaces of the mandible.4,5 Although the defect was first reported to be in the lingual posterior regions of the mandible and were unilateral, bilateral lesions, lesions above the mandibular canal, lesions on the buccal side of the ascending ramus and even lesions in the anterior part of the mandible have also been reported.6-10 The bony defect may contain salivary gland, connective tissue, fat, lymphoid tissue, muscle or blood vessels and sometimes empty cavities have also been reported.4-12
Due to the painless and symptom-free nature of the lesion, non-invasive methods such as CAT scanning have been suggested to analyze Stafne's defect. In fact, CT scan and MRI are the modalities of choice, which may assist clinicians to better differentiate this defect from more frequent mandibular radiolucencies such as traumatic bone cysts and ameloblastomas. The CT may also be used as both diagnostic and follow up imaging and this enables the clinician to spare the patient from discomfort of sialography or other invasive diagnostic methods. This paper intends to describe the confirmative role of qualitative CT and CT densitometry by colorful differentiation in the diagnosis of Stafne bone cyst without the need...