Stafne bone cavity: Report of two case series of Posterior variant with unusual presentation

Abstract

Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is an unusual bony defect of the mandible, first described by Edward C.Stafne in 1942. SBC is described as an unusual, asymptomatic, unilateral, well-defined radiolucent area with corticated border on the lingual cortex of the mandible between the inferior border of mandibular canal and the lower body of the mandible. The most accepted concept of etiology is due to the entrapment or constant strain of the deranged salivary gland on the lingual cortex of the mandible. In this case series we have described the innocuous nature of SBC found incidentally on panaromic radiograph, and further evaluation done by clinical and Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Both the cases were asymptomatic with no signs of swelling or other clinically significant features. Hence, surgical intervention was not indicated, due to squelch nature of SBC, hence patients were advised for periodic follow up once in 1 year.