Solitary neurofibroma of the gingiva: A rare case report

Abstract

Solitary neurofibroma is a benign, slowly growing, relatively circumscribed, but nonencapsulated tumor of unknown etiology diagnosed by absence of other features of the associated systemic disease. A 70-year-old female patient reported to us with a localized gingival swelling in the upper right back tooth region. The lesion was an incidental finding at a routine dental checkup. Medical and family history was noncontributory. Apart from the oral cavity, no other similar swellings were found on the rest of the body and the regional lymph nodes were not palpable. Based on history, texture, appearance, and location a differential diagnosis of possible fibroma, peripheral ossifying fibroma, and peripheral giant cell granuloma was made. Excisional biopsy was planned as the lesion was small and solitary. Based on the history, clinical, radiographical, and histopathological findings diagnosis of neurofibroma was given. The patient has not reported with recurrence 6 months postoperatively. Even though it is a rare lesion in the oral cavity, solitary neurofibroma must be considered in the list for differential diagnosis in cases of intraoral swellings and intraosseous lesions of the jaws.