Peripheral osteoma of the angle of mandible

Abstract

Osteomas are benign osseous neoplasms that show continuous but slow growth and are characterized by the proliferation of compact and/or cancellous bone. The exact cause is unknown, and they are usually considered to represent hamartomas or reactive lesions secondary to low-grade inflammation. They can be classified into central, peripheral or extra-skeletal types. Peripheral osteomas occur most frequently in the frontal and ethmoid sinuses, and jaw involvement is rare. They are usually asymptomatic and may be discovered during routine clinical and radiographic examination. Radiographically, peripheral osteomas appear as oval radiopaque well-circumscribed masses attached to the cortex by a broad base or a pedicle. This article describes a case of a peripheral osteoma of the right angle of the mandible in a 20-year-old male along with a literature review.