Simultaneous presentation of juvenile ossifying fibroma in the maxilla and mandible: a case report

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a controversial and uncommon lesion that has been distinguished from the larger group of ossifying fibromas because of distinct clinical features and some morphological peculiarities. Furthermore, JOF shows an aggressive biological behavior that has led researchers to consider it a benign neoplasm, resulting in its differential diagnosis with important benign and malignant bone neoplasms.

This study describes a case of synchronous presentation of JOF in the mandible and maxilla of a young patient. In addition, the literature was reviewed to identify clinical-pathologic features and possible factors that could help establish the correct diagnosis. A 26-year-old male patient presented simultaneously a lesion affecting the body, angle and ramus of the left mandible and another lesion in the left maxilla. Both lesions were well delimited and radiolucent, being unilocular in the maxilla and multilocular in the mandible. The mandibular lesion was partially resected and the maxillary lesion was submitted to curettage. The diagnosis was JOF.

A delay in seeking medical care and a late diagnosis can have serious consequences for the postoperative functional and esthetic outcome. Much care should be taken during establishment of this diagnosis since an equivocal diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient in terms of treatment.

After 1 year, the patient shows no signs or symptoms of recurrence of the lesions and was referred for reconstructive surgery of the mandible. An early and correct diagnosis is necessary to permit the best therapeutic management.