Review

Solitary submucous neurofibroma of the mandible: review of the literature and report of a rare case

Rita Depprich¹ , Daman D Singh¹ , Petra Reinecke² , Norbert R Kübler¹ and Jörg Handschel¹

¹  Department for Cranio- and Maxillofacial Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstr. 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

²  Department for Pathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstr. 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Head & Face Medicine 2009, 5:24doi:10.1186/1746-160X-5-24

Published:	13 November 2009

Abstract

Solitary neurofibroma is a rare benign non-odontogenic tumor. Particularly in the oral cavity, neurogenic tumors are rare, especially if they are malignant. Neurofibromas may present either as solitary lesions or as part of the generalised syndrome of neurofibromatosis or von Recklinghausen's disease of the skin. Clinically, oral neurofibromas usually appear as pediculated or sessile nodules, with slow growth and mostly without pain. The diagnosis can be confirmed by histological examination. Neurofibromas are immunopositive for the S-100 protein, indicating its neural origin. Treatment is surgical and the prognosis is excellent. For illustration a rare case of a solitary neurofibroma in the mandible is presented.