PROBLEMS/ OBJECTIVES: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign, expansile lesion of bone with slow progression and unknown origin. The purpose of this report is to make physicians aware of the symptoms, methods for differential diagnosis, and treatment options. METHODOLOGY: Three cases of monostotic FD are presented; two involving the maxillary sinus, and one in temporal bone. CT scans are the definitive diagnostic and follow-up method. Surgical approaches to alleviate the symptoms, including facial deformity, are described. RESULTS: FD went undiagnosed for three years in these patients. All three patients were relieved of the symptoms by limited surgery, and remained asymptomatic for up to two years after the surgery, with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners should be alert to the possibility of FD, particularly if patients develop narrowing of the ear canal, or progressive postauricular or maxillofacial enlargement. Minimal surgery to alleviate the symptoms is the treatment of choice.
PROBLEMS/ OBJECTIVES:Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign, expansile lesion of bone with slow progression and unknown origin. The purpose of this report is to make physicians aware of the symptoms, methods for differential diagnosis, and treatment options. METHODOLOGY: Three cases of monostotic FD are presented; two involving the maxillary sinus, and one in temporal bone. CT scans are the definitive diagnostic and follow-up method. Surgical approaches to alleviate the symptoms, including facial deformity, are described. RESULTS:FD went undiagnosed for three years in these patients. All three patients were relieved of the symptoms by limited surgery, and remained asymptomatic for up to two years after the surgery, with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners should be alert to the possibility of FD, particularly if patients develop narrowing of the ear canal, or progressive postauricular or maxillofacial enlargement. Minimal surgery to alleviate the symptoms is the treatment of choice.