Odontogenic myxoma: a rare odontogenic neoplasm revisited

Odontogenic myxoma -om- is a rare tumor in oral cavity, with locally aggressive and invasive behavior. it accounts for 3 to 6 % of all odontogenic tumors. it is a benign, non encapsulated tumor which can result in significant infiltration of adjacent medullary bone, with a high recurrence rate. according to world health organization, it is a tumor of mesenchymal or ectomesenchymal origin, with or without odontogenic epithelium. om occurs almost exclusively in tooth-bearing portions of the jaws, with two third of cases located in mandible. clinically, mandibular myxomas are often asymptomatic but may cause swelling and tooth displacement and, less frequently, pain and hypoesthesia, thus they may reach a substantial size before patient seeks treatment. they are often incidentally discovered on radiographs, with a “soap bubble” appearance. the treatment of om is surgical, ranging from a conservative curettage to an aggressive segmental resection, with no clear consensus on treatment modalities. we are reporting a case of a large, anterior mandibular odontogenic myxoma, diagnosed 10 years after the initial occurrence of symptoms and treated with an “en-bloc” resection.