Gingival Neurofibroma With Teardrop-Shaped Defects of the Interdental Alveolar Bone: An Unusual Oral Manifestation of Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Gingival enlargement, although frequently encountered in clinical settings, is rarely associated with systemic diseases or syndromes. Among the diverse pathological conditions of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), minor manifestations in the orofacial region are occasionally overlooked. Herein, the authors present an unusual case of gingival neurofibroma in a patient with NF-1 associated with characteristic osseous defects in the alveolus in the long-term course of 17 years from the first examination. A 5-year-old boy with NF-1 was referred for the evaluation of gingival enlargement in the posterior left maxilla. An incisal biopsy led to the diagnosis of neurofibroma. At 22 years of age, the patient was referred again with a complaint of bleeding and pain in the same region refractory to periodontal therapy. The gingiva and tuberosity were swollen, and the second molar was affected by the tumor. Radiography revealed a low level of the interdental septum beneath the tumor with a relatively intact periodontal cortical bone, exhibiting a teardrop-shaped bone defect. The lesion was completely resected with the periosteum. Gingival neurofibroma in NF-1 may be associated with osseous and dental abnormalities and can be mistaken for periodontitis. Raising awareness of this clinical entity can lead to proper management of the esthetic and functional problems in the oral and maxillofacial region. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Tomoaki Imai, DDS, PhD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0862, Japan; E-mail: hsc12@hotmail.com Received 7 August, 2018 Accepted 5 September, 2018 The authors report no conflicts of interest. © 2018 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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