Stafne bone cavity and cone-beam computed tomography: a report of two cases

ABSTRACT

In 1942 Stafne reported 35 asymptomatic, radiolucent cavities that were unilaterally located in the posterior region of the mandible between the mandibular angle and the third molar, and below the mandibular canal. The term Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is now used for such asymptomatic lingual bone depressions of the lower jaw. Since then there have been many reports of SBCs but very fews tudies have used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for their diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of two cases of SBCs and the importance of limited CBCT in confirming the diagnosis.