[Myxoma of the jaws]

A review of the literature and two observations made by the Authors regarding maxillary myxoma allow a closer analysis to be made of this rare benign tumour which is, however, often recurrent in young adults. Maxillary myxoma is identified by the appearance of a non-inflammatory and often painless swelling which, in radiological terms, appears to have a zone of multilocular and sometimes unilocular osteolysis. In histological terms, this globular whitish-greyish gelatine-like tumour is made up of an abundant stroma which encloses star-shaped or fusiform cells and rare collagen fibres. Treatment should be conservative where possible since radical surgery does not preclude recurrence; follow-up should be regular and long in order to ensure an early diagnosis of recividation. Although it is considered an odontogenic tumour, the odontogenic nature of maxillary myxoma has not been undisputably ascertained. The term maxillary myxoma is therefore preferable to that of odontogenic myxoma.