Anterior Stafne bone defect mimicking a residual cyst: a case report

Stafne bone defects (SBDs) are asymptomatic lingual bone depressions of the lower jaw that are frequently caused by soft tissue inclusion. The common variant of SBDs exists at the third molar region of the mandible below the inferior dental canal and has been mostly diagnosed incidentally during routine radiographic examination. The anterior variant of a SBD (ASBD) is relatively uncommon and is located in the premolar region of the mandible. Sublingual salivary glands are thought to be responsible for ASBDs. However, other structures such as lymphoid or vascular tissues might be associated with ASBDs. In the present report, an ASBD which was mimicking a residual cyst was diagnosed with the aid of a three-dimensional CT scan. ASBDs might be confused with other odontogenic or non-odontogenic pathologies because of their location and lower occurrence rate. Advanced imaging modalities, especially CT scans, are useful to assess such lesions in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.