Difficulty in diagnosing atypical osteoblastoma of the face: case report

• Main Authors: Utumi, Estevam Rubens, Sales, Marcelo Augusto de Oliveira, Yamamoto, Fernanda Paula, Cavalcanti, Marcelo Gusmão P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. 2010-03-01
• Series: International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
• Subjects: Bone Tumours; Osteoblastoma; Radiograhy; Tomography; X-Ray Computed
• Online Access: http://www.arquivosdeorl.org.br/conteudo/acervo_eng.asp?id=677

Introduction: Osteoblastoma is a rare benign tumor of the bone, usually occurring in vertebrae and in long tubular bones. Its occurrence in the craniofacial region is extremely rare, especially in the nasal and paranasal areas. Case Report: We report an atypical case of osteoblastoma of the maxillary sinus with involvement of hard palate and nasal structures. Clinical and radiological features were inconclusive, with atypical computed tomography (CT) pattern that was suggestive of various fibrous osseous lesions (FOL) like fibrous dysplasia, cementifying dysplasia, cemento-ossifying fibroma. Final Comments: Given the anomalous CT features and massive facial involvement, differential diagnoses of such lesions must be carefully evaluated regarding radiographic appearance and histological criteria.