Ossifying fibroma of the maxilla: An uncommon tumor presenting diagnostic and management dilemma for the clinician: A rare case report

Abstract

Ossifying fibromas form a part of the spectrum of fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws. They are rare, benign, nonodontogenic tumors that are commonly seen in the head, and neck region. Ossifying fibroma of the jaw is a benign fibro-osseous lesion that is a part of larger family of fibro-osseous lesions that includes - juvenile aggressive ossifying fibroma, psammomatous ossifying fibroma, extragnathic ossifying fibroma of the skull. Patients generally present with a history of painless expansion of a tooth bearing portion of the mandible, whereas the lesions of the maxilla are less common. Benign fibro-osseous of the maxilla constitutes a varied group of lesions with a common histologic characteristic: The substitution of normal bone by tissue composed of collagen and fibroblasts with variable amounts of mineralized substance that may be bone, cementum or both. In the present case, we hereby report a 35-year-old male patient who presented with painless swelling over middle one third of face - left side since 8 months. Patient had no significant medical history in the previous past (history of trauma 6 years earlier). Panoramic radiography revealed rounded mixed type of image over left side of posterior maxilla in relation to 23, 24, 25, 26 region, respectively. An incisional biopsy was carried out which yielded a definitive diagnosis of ossifying fibroma of the maxilla. Management of the lesion was carried out by taking into account the benign nature, growth pattern, and behavior of the lesion clinically and radio graphically with regular and periodic follow-up postoperatively.