Endoscopic Excision of Osteochondroma of the Mandibular Angle

Osteochondroma makes up 35.8% of all benign bone tumors. It is rare in the craniofacial region [[1]]. The most common site in the craniofacial region is the mandibular condyle process. In these cases, the mass can result in morphological and functional disturbances. Local resection of the mass is more conservative for treating solitary osteochondroma with a stalk than radial condylectomy and reconstruction [[1] [2]]. The surgical approach seems to be limited by technical difficulties with achieving adequate exposure in cases of osteochondroma of the mandible. We report a rare case of osteochondroma of the mandibular angle that was successfully treated with endoscope-assisted surgical resection with an intraoral approach. An 81-year-old female patient came to our clinic complaining of a bony mass on her right mandibular angle. Having developed 20 years previously, the lesion had not changed since then. The patient did not have any history of trauma or surgery on her right mandible area. She had hypertension and no other general illness or diseases. On physical examination, the mass was visible on her right mandibular angle ([Fig. 1]). The mass was a palpable, hard, round mass 2 cm in size without pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed exophytic bone growth on her mandibular angle, suggesting osteochondroma ([Fig. 2]). We decided to perform endoscopic mass excision through intraoral incision. Under general anesthesia, an incision was made with electrocautery about 10 mm from the lateral aspect of the molars. With a periosteal elevator, dissection was performed in the subperiosteal plane in order to avoid exposing or injuring the inferior alveolar nerve. The mandibular angle and the attached mass were exposed. The mass was a round, solitary mass with a stalk. A 30°, 10-mm-diameter endoscope was inserted through the oral incision. Under the endoscopic view, we could see the mass clearly ([Fig. 3A]). Osteotomy was carried out successfully along the lateral margin of the mandibular bone ([Fig. 3B]). The specimen removed was a round mass 2.5×2 cm in size. Its pathology was reported to be osteochondroma: an osteoid lesion with a focal cartilaginous area. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was satisfied with the result. There was no evidence of recurrence of the tumor at 6 months ([Fig. 4]). While osteochondroma is the most common tumor of skeletal bones, it is relatively uncommon in the jaws, occurring at the condyle or the tip of the coronoid process [[3]]. The lesion is slightly more common in females and tends to occur at a later age in the jaws than in the long bones [[4]]. There is debate whether this lesion represents a true tumor or an exostosis. Osteochondroma refers to a true neoplasm, while exostosis is considered to be reactive or developmental hyperplasia. On histologic examination, an irregularly shaped mass is considered to be a benign neoplasm, while uniform, generalized enlargement or hyperostosis is more consistent with exostosis. In this case, the patient had no history of trauma or surgery in her right mandibular angle area. Furthermore, under the endoscopic view, the mass was a solitary exophytic lesion with a stalk, which is more consistent with a benign tumor than exostosis. On CT scans, continuity between the cortex and medulla of the jaw bone with the tumor is considered diagnostic for osteochondroma. Various surgical approaches have been used, including a preauricular approach with or without extension to a temporal, hemicoronal incision, submandibular approach, preauricular and intraoral approach, and modified Blair incision. The preauricular approach, either on its own or in combination with cervical incisions, is the most popular approach [[4]]. However, the conventional surgical approach seems to be limited by technical difficulties in achieving adequate exposure. In terms of resection, the conventional approach has been condylectomy in cases of condylar osteochondroma, particularly in older case reports [[3] [4] [5]]. More recently, a more conservative approach to resection has been frequently reported. The recurrence rate of osteochondroma generally is 2% [[1] [4]]. It is important to remove the tumor completely under direct vision. There is no reported endoscope-assisted complete excision of osteochondroma at the mandibular angle yet. In this rare case of osteochondroma of the mandibular angle in an 81-year-old female, the painless mass was on her mandibular angle for 20 years. In this case, with an endoscope-assisted oral incision, we were able to achieve good exposure, followed by a successful outcome. There was no evidence of recurrence at 6 months after surgery.

Fig. 1 Preoperative photograph. An 81-year-old female with a firm mass of the right mandibular angle (white arrow).

Fig. 2 Preoperative computed tomography scan showing an exophytic lesion of the right mandibular angle (white arrow).

Fig. 3 Intraoperative photograph with an endoscopic view. (A) The mass is visible. (B) The mass has been completely removed.

Fig. 4 Postoperative 3-month image. There is no evidence of recurrence.

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

• References

• 1 Lim W, Weng LK, Tin GB. Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: report of two surgical approaches. Ann Maxillofac Surg 2014; 4: 215-219
• 2 Yu HB, Li B, Zhang L. et al. Computer-assisted surgical planning and intraoperative navigation in the treatment of condylar osteochondroma. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2015; 44: 113-118
• 3 Ribas Mde O, Martins WD, de Sousa MH. et al. Osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: literature review and report of a case. J Contemp Dent Pract 2007; 8: 52-59
• 4 Ord RA, Warburton G, Caccamese JF. Osteochondroma of the condyle: review of 8 cases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2010; 39: 523-528
• 5 Yu HB, Sun H, Li B. et al. Endoscope-assisted conservative condylectomy in the treatment of condylar osteochondroma through an intraoral approach. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2013; 42: 1582-1586

Publication History

Received: 12 March 2015

Accepted: 12 May 2015

Article published online:
05 May 2022