Head and Neck Imaging

Stafne cyst

(Edward C. Stafne, 1894  - 1981, American dentist), well-defined depression in the lingual cortex of the posterior mandible, which may contain submandibular salivary gland tissue. It is also known as static bone cavity. These anomalies are asymptomatic and only discovered by chance during radiographic examination of this area. They appear as sharply demarcated, round or oval defects below the mandibular canal, possibly extending to the inferior mandibular margin (Fig.1). The appearance is characteristic; they may be confused with a radicular or residual cyst (see odontogenic cysts) if situated more anteriorly or superiorly than usual.

 

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Fig.1

Orthogonal (a) and panoramic (b) reconstructions of axial CT images of mandible. Sharply demarcated bone defect (arrow) at the lower lingual surface, extending just below the mandibular canal (arrowheads).
Stafne cyst, Fig.1 (a)
Stafne cyst, Fig.1 (b)