Psammomatoid Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma of the Maxilla Misdiagnosed as Fibrous Dysplasia: A Clinicopathologic Case Report

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a variant of the ossifying fibroma and includes two histopathological subtypes: trabecular and psammomatoid. Psammomatoid JOF (PJOF) in craniofacial structures should be distinguished from other fibro-osseous lesions, such as fibrous dysplasia (FD), considering the difference in the treatment protocols. Here, we present a rare case of PJOF that was initially misdiagnosed as a case of FD and emphasize the importance of considering JOF in the differential diagnosis of patients with craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions. A 4-year-old boy demonstrated progressive enlargement of the zygomaticomaxillary area on his left side for the last 6 months. The patient was diagnosed as a case of FD based on the clinical features and radiographic findings, and was operated considering the rapid progression. To achieve facial symmetry, contouring of the zygomatic bone and arch was performed. However, the patient demonstrated rapid enlargement at the 3-month postoperative follow-up. The decision was made to surgically remove the tumor due to visual field impairment. Intraoperatively, a rubbery mass, which was separated from the surrounding cortical bone, was identified and excised. The lesion was confirmed as PJOF by histopathological examination. The possibility of PJOF should not be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of patients with fibrous-osseous lesions. In the event of suspected PJOF, accurate diagnosis should be made through definitive biopsy.