Florid osseous dysplasia: A case report and literature review

Florid osseous dysplasia (FOD) is one of the osseous dysplasias, which are characterized by the replacement of normal bone by fibrous tissue and metaplastic bone. It is particularly common in the jaws of middle-aged black women. In some cases, a familial trend can be observed. FOD is usually asymptomatic and, in such cases, the lesion is detected when radiographs are taken for some other reason. In severe cases, focal expansion may occur owing to infection, which may lead to pain and facial deformity. FOD is often symmetrically located in various regions of the jaw. Symptoms are almost always associated with infection. Radiographically, it appears predominantly radiolucent, predominantly radiodense or mixed and tends to increase with time. Histopathologically, FOD consists of cellular fibrous tissue, woven as well as lamellar bone and masses of cementum-like material. FOD must be differentiated from other osseous dysplasias, other benign fibro-osseous lesions such as ossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia, chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis, and Paget disease of bone, on the basis of combined clinical, radiographic, and histological features. The case of FOD described here occurred in a 77-year-old Japanese female patient, which is rare with regard to race and age. In this case, the patient suffered facial asymmetry due to mandibular infection, so surgical enucleation of sequesters and curettage were performed. Close and long-term monitoring of a patient like this is necessary to prevent recurrence of infection and secondary complications.