A Rare Case of Anterior Stafne Bone Cavity in the Mandibular Region

Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is a rare, asymptomatic mandibular bone defect that is usually detected incidentally on imaging. While the posterior variant is relatively common and typically occurs near the mandibular angle, the anterior form involving the incisor-premolar region is extremely rare and may mimic odontogenic or non-odontogenic cysts. An 81-year-old female was referred for evaluation of a swelling in the right maxilla. Panoramic radiography incidentally revealed a well-defined radiolucency in the left anterior-premolar mandibular region. Multi-detector CT demonstrated a lingual alveolar bone concavity measuring 20.9 × 8.7 × 11.2 mm with buccal cortical thinning, which was classified as Type Ⅱ according to Ariji's criteria. Surgical exploration confirmed a lingual cortical depression without cystic or tumorous tissue, consistent with anterior SBC. No biopsy was performed, and the patient was managed conservatively with periodic follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering anterior SBC in the differential diagnosis of radiolucent mandibular lesions and emphasizes the role of advanced imaging in establishing an accurate diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary invasive treatment.