Osteochondroma of the mandible causing severe facial asymmetry: a case report

Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign tumors of bone. Although osteochondroma is rarely seen in facial region, the cases in literature are usually in the mandibular region, especially around the condyle. The treatments of these lesions include total condylectomy or local resection of the lesion. The aim of the present study is to emphasize the importance of stereolithographic models in planning tumor surgery and how it affects the treatment planning, operation time and prognosis. In this report, the patient had an osteochondroma in the left condylar region, pushing the condyle seriously to the anterior. The clinical findings were 8 mm deviation of midline to the right side, 23 mm mouth opening, unilateral posterior cross-bite on the right side, and 8 mm negative horizontal overjet. We acquired a 3-dimensional solid model of the patient. Determination of the anatomy of the surgical area, determination of the surgical access method, and other treatment planning were all done on the stereolithographic model. Based on the model evaluation, the tumor was conservatively resected and the condyle left intact, leaving no sequelae. All the preoperative problems were resolved except the midline deviation.