Giant osteochondroma of the parapharyngeal space: a case report

Osteochondroma is a common benign tumor of the axial skeleton, especially in the distal metaphysis of the femur and the proximal metaphysis of the tibia, that can occur on the facial skeleton (albeit rarely). Osteochondroma is differentiated from chondroma, osteochondromatosis and osteoma. Osteochondroma shows an irregular radiopaque lesion and chondromatic area surrounded by the osteoma. When it develops in the long bone, it has a marked tendency to occur at 10 to 20 years of age and ceases with the end of pubertal growth. However, when it develops in the mandibular condyle, it is prevalent in the third decade and continuous to develop. Tumors that develop in the long bone have a predilection for men, but tumors in the mandible have a predilection for women. In osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle, clinical features presented include occlusal changes, facial asymmetry, headaches, pain and joint noise on the temporomandibular joint, mouth opening limitations, and jaw deviation at the involved site. The first choice of treatment for the massive osteochondroma is surgical removal. A 70-year-old female patient with an osteochondroma on her right mandibular condyle visited our clinic. We surgically removed the mass with favorable results. It is presented here along with a review of literature on osteochondroma.