An unusually large osteochondroma of the mandibular angle: a case report

BACKGROUND: Osteochondroma is a benign bone tumor that can occur in both the mesenchymal and craniofacial bones. However, craniofacial osteochondromas are extremely rare, because the mandible develops by intramembranous ossification rather than by endochondral ossification. CASE PRESENTATION: The most common site of craniofacial osteochondroma is the mandibular condyle, followed by the coronoid process. In the present study, we have described the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man with an unusually large osteochondroma located on the internal angle of the mandibular body. Clinical, radiological, pathological, and treatment-related aspects are discussed with respect to the tumor origins. CONCLUSIONS: In the medical literature, there have been few reports of large osteochondromas of the mandibular angle with no clinical symptoms.