ABSTRACT
Background@#Lipomas are common benign tumors of mesenchymal origin that are composed of mature adipocytes. Giant lipomas have a diameter ≥ 10 cm in one or more dimensions or weigh at least 1,000 g. The surgical excision of a giant lipoma requires extensive dissection, increasing the risk of a seroma, which can cause surgical site complications such as wound infection and necrosis. Sclerotherapy with Abnobaviscum (Viscum album extract) is a relatively new technique used to reduce malignant pleural effusion. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of prophylactic sclerotherapy using Abnobaviscum to decrease seroma after giant lipoma excision. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective medical record review of patients who underwent surgical excision for giant lipoma of the neck from January 2019 to December 2022. Sclerotherapy was performed on the first postoperative day in patients who consented to the procedure, and Abnobaviscum was instilled through the existing Hemovac drain. We compared the clinical course between those who underwent postoperative sclerotherapy and those who did not. @*Results@#Among the 30 patients who underwent giant lipoma excision, we applied sclerotherapy with Abnobaviscum to 15 patients. The average time from surgery to Hemovac removal was statistically shorter in patients who underwent sclerotherapy (p= 0.004). Furthermore, seroma formation was significantly reduced in patients receiving sclerotherapy (p= 0.003). @*Conclusion@#In patients undergoing giant lipoma excision, sclerotherapy using Abnobaviscum helps reduce postoperative seroma formation during the initial postoperative period. It can be an excellent method to reduce complications related to seroma and attenuate patients’ postoperative burden.
ABSTRACT
Penetrating wounds to the face are cosmetically devastating and can be life-threatening. If the foreign body causing the penetrating wound is a piece of wood, small remnants might be left behind after the initial treatment. A 33-year-old male patient presented to the emergency center after a piece of lumber pierced his face as a passenger in a traffic accident. The patient’s vital signs were stable, and emergency surgery was performed to remove the foreign body and repair the soft tissue. No noteworthy complications were seen after open reduction and internal fixation of the facial bone fractures. Seven months after the accident, the patient underwent scar revision along with full-thickness skin grafting for post-traumatic scars. After the surgery, pus-like discharge which was not previously present was observed, and the graft did not take well. A residual foreign body, which was the cause of graft failure, was found on computed tomography and the remaining foreign body was removed through revision surgery. The patient is receiving outpatient follow-up without any complications 6 months after surgery. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a careful evaluation to avoid missing a residual foreign body, especially if it is of wooden nature.
ABSTRACT
Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an infrequently occurring neoplasm most commonly observed in the pleura, but it can develop in the head and neck region in occasional cases. However, no reports have described SFT in the temporalis muscle. Herein, we present the first known case of SFT in the temporalis muscle. A 47-year-old man complained of a painless palpable mass on his right temple. Facial enhanced computed tomography identified a 4.0× 2.9× 1.4 cm mass presenting as a vascular tumor in the right temporalis muscle under the zygomatic arch. The mass was excised from the right temporalis muscle under general anesthesia. A histopathologic examination revealed that the mass was an SFT. No complications occurred after surgery, including functional disability or sensory loss. The patient was followed up for 3 months without complications. Although SFT in extrapulmonary regions is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses that occur in the temporal area.
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Background@#Midfacial fractures frequently involve the maxillary sinus, leading to maxillary sinus pathology. We aimed to examine the incidence and contributing factors of maxillary sinus pathology in patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for midfacial fractures. @*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent ORIF for midfacial fractures at our department over the past 10 years. The incidence of maxillary sinus pathology was identified clinically and/or by computed tomography findings. Factors that significantly influenced the groups with and without maxillary sinus pathology were examined. @*Results@#The incidence of maxillary sinus pathology in patients who underwent ORIF for midfacial fractures was found to be 11.27%, with sinusitis being the most common pathology. Maxillary sinus pathology was significantly associated with the presence of a blowout fracture involving both the medial and the inferior orbital walls. Factors such as sex, age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, inflammatory disease, follow-up period, use of absorbable plates, and use of titanium plates did not have a significant impact on the development of maxillary sinus pathology. @*Conclusion@#The incidence of maxillary sinus pathology in patients who underwent ORIF for midfacial fractures was relatively low, and in most cases, it resolved without the need for specific treatment. Consequently, there may not be a significant need for concern regarding postoperative maxillary sinus pathology.
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Background@#A recent concern in breast reconstruction procedures is skin color mismatch of the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. With the goal of objectively quantifying the skin tone of the TRAM flap donor site, contralateral breast, and flap, a comparative study was conducted. @*Methods@#This study was conducted in July 2021, included 17 patients who received delayed breast reconstruction via TRAM flaps from January 2016 to December 2020 with at least 12 months of follow-up. Melanin levels and redness values of the flap, abdomen, and contralateral breast were measured in patients using a skin pigmentation analyzer. Furthermore, in 20 healthy women in their 40s to 60s, measurements were made of the abdomen, as well as breast. @*Results@#The contralateral breast had lower mean melanin and redness than the abdomen. The flaps had slightly higher melanin levels than the contralateral breasts. The flaps tended to have higher redness values, but the difference was not significant. The difference between the flap and abdomen was significant for melanin, but not redness. Preoperative radiotherapy did not affect skin tone. The upper abdomen showed lower melanin and redness than the lower abdomen. @*Conclusions@#The breast had a brighter skin tone than the abdomen. The upper abdomen showed brighter skin tone than the lower abdomen, and the area used as the donor site of the TRAM flap presented the same tendency. In the process of TRAM flap engrafting, the melanin level of the tissue decreases, and the redness value tends to increase slightly compared to the contralateral breast.
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Background@#The number of users of electric scooters, which provide swift and convenient mobility options, has increased sharply over recent years as their distribution as a shared service has expanded. Although the number of accidents and related damage has increased accordingly, limited research has analyzed data on the new types of accidents arising from electric scooters. This study aimed to analyze data on trauma characteristics due to accidents that occurred during electric scooter use. @*Methods@#A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who visited the regional trauma center of our institute due to electric scooter accidents from April 2018 to October 2021. Information was extracted on helmet-wearing status, sex, age, drinking status, accident timeframe, accident mechanism, electric scooter proficiency (period of use), injury severity, severe trauma, lethality, admission to the intensive care unit, surgery under general anesthesia, and the trauma region. @*Results@#Among the 108 patients involved in electric scooter accidents, 92 patients were not wearing a helmet. Eighty-nine patients (85.2%) were male. The average age of the patients without a helmet was 31.3 years, while that of patients with a helmet was 34.1 years. The most frequent causes of accidents were lack of electric scooter operation experience and falling off the scooter due to obstacles (90 cases). Whether surgery was performed under general anesthesia was not associated with helmet use or non-use, although all patients who underwent facial fracture surgery were not wearing a helmet. @*Conclusion@#The craniofacial region was most frequently affected in electric scooter accidents and wearing a helmet was the best way to prevent craniofacial trauma. Although helmetwearing is mandatory, the majority of treated patients were not wearing a helmet at the time of injury. Thus, there is an urgent need to introduce a helmet rental system, as well as strict legal requirements, to improve this situation.
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Background@#Many severe nasal bone fractures present with septal fractures, causing postoperative septal deviation and negatively affecting the patients’ quality of life. However, when a septal fracture is absent, it is difficult to predict whether surgical correction can help minimize nasal septal deviation postoperatively. This study determined whether performing closed reduction on even mildly displaced nasal bone fracture could deter the outcome of septal deviation. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the data of 116 patients aged 21–72 years who presented at the outpatient clinic and emergency room with fractures of nasal bones only without any involvement of the septum from January 2014 to December 2020. Patients were classified into three fracture type groups: A (unilateral), B (bilateral), and C (comminuted with depression). The degree of septal deviation was calculated by measuring the angle between the apex of the most prominent point and the crista galli in the coronal view on computed tomography images. The difference between the angles of the initial septal deviation and that of the follow-up was calculated and expressed as delta (Δ). @*Results@#Closed reduction tended to decrease the postoperative septal deviation in all fracture types, but the values were significantly meaningful only in type A and B fractures. In the surgical group, with type A as the baseline, type B showed a significantly larger Δ value, but type C was not significantly different, although type C showed a smaller Δ value. In the conservative group, with type A as the baseline, the other fracture types presented significantly lower Δ values. @*Conclusion@#For all fracture types, closed reduction significantly decreased the extent to which the nasal septum likely deviated. Therefore, when a patient is reluctant to undergo closed reduction, physicians should address the possible outcomes and prognosis of untreated nasal bone fractures.
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Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZL) is an uncommon type of malignant lymphoma that mainly occurs in the trunk and upper extremity, with less frequent incidence observed on the head. Herein, we report the early diagnosis and treatment of a rare case of facial PCMZL in an Asian patient. A 51-year-old man presented with masses on the forehead and nose tip, which he had incidentally discovered 2 months previously. The masses appeared as a papule on the forehead and a patch on the nose. There were no signs of infection or bleeding, and the patient reported no other symptoms. After complete surgical excision, PCMZL was diagnosed based on the permanent biopsy. The histopathological findings revealed lymphoid aggregations with multifocal granulomas. Further treatment and follow-up were conducted at the hematology and oncology department. Despite its rarity in Asian populations, cutaneous lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of facial masses. Early diagnosis and treatment based on a physical examination, imaging study, and excisional biopsy are important for a favorable prognosis.
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Background@#Transcutaneous lower eyelid approaches are associated with a risk of postoperative scarring depending on the distance between the incision line and the lower eyelid margin. The lower eyelid crease of Caucasians corresponds to a ridge-shaped fold in young Asians. However, this relationship has not been sufficiently evaluated in the latter. The authors, therefore, investigated the location of the scar and the lower eyelid crease or ridge to find the optimal location for the incision line. @*Methods@#This study included 60 out of 139 patients who underwent inferior orbital wall reconstruction through a lower eyelid skin incision between July 2019 and June 2020. According to the location of the scar, the patients were classified into three groups: group A ( ≥ 2 mm above the lower eyelid crease or ridge), group B (within the lower eyelid crease or ridge to 2 mm above the lower eyelid crease or ridge), and group C (within the lower eyelid crease or ridge to 2 mm below the lower eyelid crease or ridge). At 6 or 12 months after surgery, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) score was obtained, the distance between the lower eyelid margin and the scar (DMS) and the distance between the margins of the peripheral pupil and the lower eyelid (DMPE) were measured, and the occurrence of ectropion was evaluated. @*Results@#Group B had the lowest POSAS score (A: 22.7 ± 8.0, B: 20.9 ± 2.4, C: 32.5 ± 4.1, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that the DMS was positively correlated with the POSAS score (p < 0.001) and that the risk of DMPE widening increased as the DMS decreased (p = 0.029). None of the patients had ectropion. @*Conclusion@#When using the transcutaneous approach for inferior orbital wall reconstruction, the optimal incision site is within the lower eyelid crease or ridge to 2 mm above the lower eyelid crease or ridge.
ABSTRACT
Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the face is caused by blunt, penetrating, or surgical trauma. Although its incidence is low, pseudoaneurysm rupture can cause a life-threatening, massive hemorrhage. A 48-year-old man visited our emergency center due to a fall-down accident. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) showed a comminuted zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture of the left face. After open reduction and internal fixation, the surgical wound healed without any complications. However, the patient was readmitted 10 days after surgery due to pus-like discharge from the wound. Contrast-enhanced CT to find the abscess unexpectedly revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the left retromaxillary area. Massive oral bleeding occurred on the night of re-hospitalization and emergency surgery was done. The bleeding site was identified as a pseudo-aneurysmal rupture of the posterior superior alveolar artery in the retromaxillary area. Hemostasis was achieved by packing Vaseline gauze in the maxillary sinus using an endoscope. Delayed rupture and massive bleeding of posttraumatic retromaxillary pseudoaneurysm after a zygomaticomaxillary fracture is a low-probability, but high-impact event. Therefore, additional contrast-enhanced CT should be considered to evaluate the possibility of a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm in cases of severe comminuted zygomaticomaxillary fracture.
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Background@#Traumatic events are thought to be a cause of acral melanoma. However, little is known about the role of mechanical trauma or physical stress in the development of acral melanoma. @*Objective@#In our study, we evaluated the frequency of trauma, physical stress, and occupation in patients with acral melanoma and aimed to identify any pathological correlates of these factors. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective study of 313 acral melanoma patients from Chonnam National University Hospital. We mapped melanoma-developed anatomical sites of acral areas and assessed patients’ history of trauma, physical stress, and occupation. @*Results@#Among the 313 acral melanoma patients, many reported a traumatic event (84 of 313; 26.8%) or physical stress (91 of 313; 29.1%) before the melanoma developed. The most common anatomical sites in these patients were on the borders of the foot (136 of 313; 43.5%). Trauma was more commonly associated with the fingernails and toenails than other sites. The frequency of each type of physical stress depended on the site of the lesion. Farmer and fisherman were the most common occupations (130 of 313; 41.5%) of the ac-ral melanoma patients. @*Conclusion@#Our results demonstrate that traumatic events, physical stress, and certain occupations are common in acral melanomas. Further studies are needed to establish whether these are risk factors for acral melanomas.
ABSTRACT
Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the face is caused by blunt, penetrating, or surgical trauma. Although its incidence is low, pseudoaneurysm rupture can cause a life-threatening, massive hemorrhage. A 48-year-old man visited our emergency center due to a fall-down accident. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) showed a comminuted zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture of the left face. After open reduction and internal fixation, the surgical wound healed without any complications. However, the patient was readmitted 10 days after surgery due to pus-like discharge from the wound. Contrast-enhanced CT to find the abscess unexpectedly revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the left retromaxillary area. Massive oral bleeding occurred on the night of re-hospitalization and emergency surgery was done. The bleeding site was identified as a pseudo-aneurysmal rupture of the posterior superior alveolar artery in the retromaxillary area. Hemostasis was achieved by packing Vaseline gauze in the maxillary sinus using an endoscope. Delayed rupture and massive bleeding of posttraumatic retromaxillary pseudoaneurysm after a zygomaticomaxillary fracture is a low-probability, but high-impact event. Therefore, additional contrast-enhanced CT should be considered to evaluate the possibility of a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm in cases of severe comminuted zygomaticomaxillary fracture.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Traumatic events are thought to be a cause of acral melanoma. However, little is known about the role of mechanical trauma or physical stress in the development of acral melanoma. @*Objective@#In our study, we evaluated the frequency of trauma, physical stress, and occupation in patients with acral melanoma and aimed to identify any pathological correlates of these factors. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective study of 313 acral melanoma patients from Chonnam National University Hospital. We mapped melanoma-developed anatomical sites of acral areas and assessed patients’ history of trauma, physical stress, and occupation. @*Results@#Among the 313 acral melanoma patients, many reported a traumatic event (84 of 313; 26.8%) or physical stress (91 of 313; 29.1%) before the melanoma developed. The most common anatomical sites in these patients were on the borders of the foot (136 of 313; 43.5%). Trauma was more commonly associated with the fingernails and toenails than other sites. The frequency of each type of physical stress depended on the site of the lesion. Farmer and fisherman were the most common occupations (130 of 313; 41.5%) of the ac-ral melanoma patients. @*Conclusion@#Our results demonstrate that traumatic events, physical stress, and certain occupations are common in acral melanomas. Further studies are needed to establish whether these are risk factors for acral melanomas.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Orbital fractures are the most common pediatric facial fractures. Treatment is conservative due to the anatomical differences that make children more resilient to severe displacement or orbital volume change than adults. Although rarely, extensive fractures may result in enophthalmos, causing cosmetic problems. We aimed to establish criteria for extensive fractures that may result in enophthalmos. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients aged 0–15 years diagnosed with orbital fractures in our hospital from January 2010 to February 2019. Computed tomography images were used to classify the fractures into linear, trapdoor, and open-door types, and to estimate the defect size. Data on enophthalmos severity (Hertel exophthalmometry results) and fracture pattern and size at the time of injury were obtained from patients who did not undergo surgery during the follow-up and were used to identify the surgical indications for pediatric orbital fractures. @*Results@#A total of 305 pediatric patients with pure orbital fractures were included–257 males (84.3%), 48 females (15.7%); mean age, 12.01± 2.99 years. The defect size (p= 0.002) and fracture type (p= 0.017) were identified as the variables affecting the enophthalmometric difference between the eyes of non-operated patients. In the linear regression analysis, the variable affecting the fracture size was open-door type fracture (p< 0.001). Pearson’s correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the enophthalmometric difference and the bony defect size (p= 0.003). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a cutoff value of 1.81 cm2 was obtained (sensitivity, 0.543; specificity, 0.724; p= 0.002). @*Conclusion@#The incidence of enophthalmos in pediatric pure orbital fractures was found to increase with fracture size, with an even higher incidence when open-door type fracture was a cofactor. In clinical settings, pediatric orbital fractures larger than 1.81 cm2 may be considered as extensive fractures that can result in enophthalmos and consequent cosmetic problems.
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Background@#Mandibular fractures are one of the most common types of facial fractures, the treatment of which can be delayed due to the severity of the trauma resulting in an increase of complications; thus, early evaluation of trauma severity at the time of visit is important. In South Korea, trauma patients are triaged and intensively treated in designated regional trauma centers. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between trauma severity and mandibular fracture patterns. @*Methods@#A medical records review was performed on patients who visited the regional trauma center at our hospital for mandibular fracture between 2009 and 2018. Epidemiologic data and mandibular fracture patterns were analyzed and compared with the conventional facial injury severity scale (FISS). @*Results@#Among 73 patients, 51 were classified as non-severe trauma patients and 22 as severe trauma patients. A higher trauma severity was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.164; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.057–1.404) and lower risk was associated with fractures located in the angle (OR, 0.001; 95% CI, 0–0.022), condylar process (OR, 0.001; 95% CI, 0–0.28), and coronoid process (OR, 0.004; 95% CI, 0–0.985). The risk was lower when the injury mechanism was a pedestrian traffic accident (OR, 0.004; 95% CI, 0–0.417) or fall (OR, 0.004; 95% CI, 0–0.663) compared with an in-car traffic accident. Higher FISS (OR, 1.503; 95% CI, 1.155–2.049) was associated with a higher trauma severity. The proposed model was found to predict the trauma severity better than the model using FISS (p< 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Age, location of mandibular fractures, and injury mechanism showed significant relationships with the trauma severity. Epidemiologic data and patterns of mandibular fractures could predict the trauma severity better than FISS.
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Mucinous cystadenoma, one of the subtypes of cystadenomas, is a rare benign salivary gland tumor. Most of the cases reported tumors presenting as asymptomatic, slow growing, single masses, primarily occurring in the parotid glands, buccal mucosa, and hard palate. This report describes a case of multiple mucinous cystadenomas that presented as subcutaneous swellings in both cheeks, which were mistaken for a benign subcutaneous tumor. A complete surgical excision was performed through an intraoral incision. There were no recurrences or complications. A diagnosis of mucinous cystadenoma was made by histopathological examination. Mucinous cystadenomas are differentiated from other salivary gland tumors based on the pathological findings. A malignant transformation is also possible. Preoperative imaging cannot identify mucinous cystadenomas because of their small size and atypical features, and needle biopsy has its limitations in such salivary gland tumors. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and treatment through surgical excision become important.
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The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve. Injury to the infraorbital nerve can be caused by trauma, including various facial fractures. Due to this nerve injury, patients complain of numbness and pain in the entire cheek, the ala of nose, and upper lip. In general, spontaneous sensory recovery is expected after decompressive surgery. If nerve transection is confirmed, however, neurorrhaphy is typically performed. Here, we present a case in which microsurgery was not performed in a patient with Sunderland grade V avulsion injury of the infraorbital nerve due to a facial bone fracture. Gradual nerve function recovery was confirmed to be possible with conservative treatment and rehabilitation alone. These findings suggest that the nerve function recovery can be expected with conservative treatment, even for severe nerve injury for which microsurgery cannot be considered.
ABSTRACT
Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a tumor of the nerve sheath, which most often occurs in the peripheral nerves of the extremities. Schwannoma can be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, paresthesia, and Tinel sign; however, patients can also be asymptomatic. Here, we present the case of a 17-year-old woman who presented with a slowly growing, asymptomatic, postauricular mass that appeared 10 years prior. Ultrasonography was performed, and the mass was thought to be an epidermal inclusion cyst. However, the clinical manifestation during surgery was not correlated to an epidermal inclusion cyst, leading to the suspicion of schwannoma from the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve. After a meticulous dissection, schwannoma was diagnosed based on a permanent section biopsy. Postoperative complications and recurrence were not observed. Schwannoma in the peripheral nerve area of the face is rare. Therefore, an investigation of tumors that occur where the nerve passes using imaging and clinical features is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of schwannoma and to establish suitable treatment methods.
ABSTRACT
Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a tumor of the nerve sheath, which most often occurs in the peripheral nerves of the extremities. Schwannoma can be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, paresthesia, and Tinel sign; however, patients can also be asymptomatic. Here, we present the case of a 17-year-old woman who presented with a slowly growing, asymptomatic, postauricular mass that appeared 10 years prior. Ultrasonography was performed, and the mass was thought to be an epidermal inclusion cyst. However, the clinical manifestation during surgery was not correlated to an epidermal inclusion cyst, leading to the suspicion of schwannoma from the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve. After a meticulous dissection, schwannoma was diagnosed based on a permanent section biopsy. Postoperative complications and recurrence were not observed. Schwannoma in the peripheral nerve area of the face is rare. Therefore, an investigation of tumors that occur where the nerve passes using imaging and clinical features is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of schwannoma and to establish suitable treatment methods.
ABSTRACT
Odontoma is an asymptomatic slow-growing odontogenic tumor. It is usually found by chance in the maxilla or mandible on radiography, or when it deforms the adjacent teeth. It is commonly found in patients who are 30 years of age or younger. We report our encounter with an odontoma within a dentigerous cyst found incidentally in a 56-year-old man. He presented with abnormal fullness in the right infraorbital area of the cheek. During the evaluation of the mass, we incidentally detected the odontogenic tumor within a dentigerous cyst in the patient's maxilla. Under general anesthesia, complete surgical drainage of the infraorbital cystic mass was performed. Enucleation of the odontogenic tumor and a bone grafting from the iliac bone were also performed. The final diagnosis was odontoma. After 2 years of follow-up, there was no sign of recurrence of the tumor. In case of odontogenic tumors, even in old patients, it is important to suspect an odontoma. When odontoma accompanies a dentigerous cyst, surgical excisional biopsy should be performed to rule out malignancy. In case of a large bony defect after enucleation, autogenous bone grafting is essential for reconstruction.