Stafne bone cavities: systematic algorithm for diagnosis derived from retrospective data over a 5-year period

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Pathology
• Dental Imaging

Background:

• Stafne bone cavities are benign, asymptomatic lesions typically found in the posterior mandible.
• They are often discovered incidentally on routine dental radiographs.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential to differentiate from other pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze panoramic radiographs for Stafne bone cavities.
• To determine the prevalence and statistical information of these lesions.
• To develop a diagnostic algorithm for Stafne bone cavities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of panoramic radiographs over a 5-year period.
• Inclusion of all suspected Stafne bone cavities for statistical analysis.
• Confirmation of diagnosis using cone-beam CT and MRI in select cases.

Main Results:

• 21 Stafne bone cavities identified in 2928 patients (0.7% prevalence).
• Mean age of patients was 53 years, with a M:F ratio of 14:7.
• Lesions were located in the posterior mandible, with mean dimensions of 10.9mm length and 5.7mm height.

Conclusions:

• Diagnosing Stafne bone cavities solely on panoramic radiographs is challenging.
• Cone-beam CT and MRI are valuable tools for atypical presentations and differential diagnosis.
• Thorough investigation is necessary to rule out conditions like keratocystic odontogenic tumors, ameloblastomas, or metastases.