An unusual trilobate Stafne bone cavity

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Stafne bone cavities are typically unilateral, well-defined radiolucencies found in the posterior mandible.
• They are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on routine dental radiographs.
• The etiology remains debated, with theories involving salivary gland inclusions or developmental defects.

Observation:

• A 72-year-old male patient presented with an incidental finding on a panoramic radiograph.
• The lesion was located in the left mandibular body.
• Radiographic features included a radiolucency with an irregular peripheral border and a central area of reduced density, suggesting a trilobate morphology.

Findings:

• The case presented an unusual trilobate (three-lobed) variant of a Stafne bone cavity.
• This morphology is rarely reported in the literature.
• The irregular border and central density variation further distinguish it from typical presentations.

Implications:

• Accurate radiographic interpretation is crucial for diagnosing rare anatomical variants like trilobate Stafne bone cavities.
• Understanding such variations aids in differentiating them from pathological lesions, preventing unnecessary interventions.
• This case contributes to the existing knowledge base of Stafne bone cavity morphology and prevalence.