Maxillary and mandibular odontogenic myxomas: case report

Abstract

Maxillary myxomas are rare benign odontogenic tumors with a high potential for infiltration and destruction. Clinical and radiological manifestations are variable and non-specific and often lead to confusion with other benign and malignant lesions. We present here two cases of odontogenic myxoma of different localization (maxilla and mandible). In both cases, the patient presented with a progressively enlarging facial swelling without any neurologic disturbance or lymph nodes. On computed tomography, the lesions appeared as a large unilocular, homogeneous image causing a cortical thinning and rupture along with repression of surrounding tissues. The clinical and radiological features were poorly suggestive of precise nature, and only histological examination of biopsy specimen was able to reveal the diagnosis of myxoma. Given the large size of the tumors and the locally aggressive pattern, we have opted for large maxillecetomy and marginal mandibulectomy. In conclusion, myxoma is a slow growing but locally aggressive tumor that the clinician should keep in mind. As there is a lack of consensus regarding their treatment, we can suggest a conservative treatment for small non-extensive lesions, which consists of enucleation and curettage of the tumor; and a radical excision in case of large tumors given the high risk of recurrence.