Stafne Cavity CBCT Confirmation — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateRadiology & ImagingStafne Cavity CBCT ConfirmationORE Part 1

A patient presents with a well-defined radiolucency in the mandibular premolar region. The lesion has displaced the second premolar root but the tooth is vital. CBCT confirms a lingual cortical concavity with submandibular gland tissue within the defect. What is the diagnosis?

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Correct answer: D — Stafne bone cavity (static bone cyst/lingual cortical mandibular defect)

Stafne bone cavity (also called static bone cyst or lingual cortical mandibular defect) is a developmental depression of the lingual mandibular cortex filled with salivary gland tissue, classically discovered incidentally on imaging as an asymptomatic radiolucency. The diagnostic hallmark is CBCT confirmation of a lingual cortical concavity containing soft tissue consistent with submandibular or sublingual gland. Unlike true odontogenic cysts, it lacks an epithelial lining and contains functioning or ectopic salivary gland elements. The vital, displaced tooth rules out lateral periodontal cyst (apex-related), dentigerous cyst (requires unerupted tooth), traumatic bone cyst (empty cavity), and ameloblastoma (serious neoplasm). Anterior Stafne variants extending into the premolar region are rare but well-documented. Management is conservative observation; no surgical intervention is required.

Reference: Stafne's Bone Defect Correlated with Submandibular Glands: A Case Report and CBCT and MRI Analysis. NCBI PMC articles 10864043. 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10864043/