Solitary intraosseous neurofibroma in the mandible mimicking a cystic lesion: A case report and review of literature

Table 2 Differential diagnosis of benign lesions in the mandible

Disease	Age (year)	Sites	Radiographic Findings
Radicular (periapical) cysts	In the 3rd to 5th decades of life	Located at the apices of dead pulp teeth, caused by inflammation of the apical tissue due to caries or trauma	Circular, unilocular low-density images at the apex of the tooth. Massive periapical cysts may cause root resorption, displacement of adjacent structures, and expansion
Dentigerous cysts	In adolescents and young adults	The upper canine and lower third molar	Clear radiolucent image around the tooth crown with cortical border causing a significant displacement. Expansion and root resorption may be present. The cortical border is usually preserved
Simple bone cysts	In the 2nd decades of life	The posterior part of the mandible	A radiolucency scalloping between the roots of the teeth
Odontogenic keratocysts	In the 3rd decades of life	The posterior part of the mandible	Unilocular/multilocular lesions with scalloped margins. May present as radiolucent around the tooth crown. May lead to cortical thinning, tooth displacement, and root resorption
Ameloblastoma	In the 3rd to 5th decades of life	The posterior part of the mandible	Well-defined unilocular/multilocular radiolucency. May appear as a pericoronal radiolucency. Extensive root resorption. Has a typical “soap bubble” appearance
Aneurysmal bone cyst	In young adults	The posterior part of the mandible	A unilocular or multilocular radiolucency with cortical expansion
Central giant cell granuloma	In adolescents and young adults	The anterior part of the mandible	Mandibular border is clearly defined. Radiolucent with granular calcifications. May cause tooth displacement, root absorption, destruction of cortical plates, and invasion into surrounding soft tissues. Early-stage lesions: Small unilocular areas (similar to odontogenic cysts). Progressive stage: Multilocularity with sparse internal septa and bone expansion
Schwannomas	Most often in the 4th and 5th decades	The posterior part of the mandible	Radiolucent, unilocular,homogeneous, and well-defined lesions with cortical expansion
Neurofibromas	In adolescents and young adults	The posterior part of the mandible	Low-density unicystic or multicystic images with clear or unclear borders. They can expand and penetrate the boundary of the dermis. Tooth root absorption and tooth displacement may also occur. Fusiform enlargement of the mandibular canal
Central hemangioma	In the 2nd decades of life	It mainly occurs in the spine. The mandible is a very rare location, with the posterior part of the mandible being slightly more common	Unilocular or multilocular lesion, with large bone marrow spaces and rough trabeculae formation. Accompanied by a typical honeycomb or soap-bubble appearance. When it occurs within the inferior alveolar canal, the canal was wider than normal
Arteriovenous malformation	In the 1st decades of life	They are uncommon lesions of the head and neck. The majority of jaw lesions occur in the mandibular ramus and body	May appear cystic due to adjacent bone resorption. May appear multilocular. When located within the inferior alveolar canal, the canal can enlarge throughout the entire course
Lymphoma	Most patients aged between 40 and 60 yr	Mandibular body	Radiolucent pattern with non-transmitted radiation particles and reactive bone attachment. May cause “moth-eaten” appearance, lamellar bone formation in periosteum, widening of mandibular canal, irregular increase in periodontal ligament width, and tooth spacing