A Solitary Extra-osseous Neurofibroma of the Hard Palate: a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Neurofibromas are benign neoplasm arising from peripheral nerves which are composed of Schwann cells, perineural cells, and a variable amount of mature collagen. A solitary neurofibroma is a single neurofibroma that occurs in an individual who does not have hereditary neurofibromatosis. The occurrence of solitary neurofibromas in the oral cavity is less frequent, and those in the hard palate are even rare. We report an interesting case of the solitary neurofibroma in a 50-year-old female, who presented with a slowly progressive swelling in the anterior hard palate. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen revealed a neurofibroma. Immunohistochemistry by S-100 and demonstration of mast cells by toluidine blue staining confirmed the histopathological diagnosis of neurofibroma. Neurofibroma should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis while evaluating a swelling involving the hard palate.