Atypical Stafne bone defect: a systematic review.
Thomas Laidin, Francesca Mangione
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review synthesized English-language case reports and case series of atypically located Stafne bone defects (SBDs), searching four databases through January 2026. It included 70 studies describing 91 cases. The defects were most often reported in the anterior mandible and, despite varied locations, commonly showed well-defined unilocular radiolucencies and lingual cortical depressions. The authors report that cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can help confirm these features and guide diagnostic assessment; histology, when available, most often showed normal salivary gland tissue without neoplastic transformation.
Key findings
- The review included 70 studies encompassing 91 atypically located Stafne bone defect cases.
- Atypical defects were most frequently reported in the anterior mandible.
- Common features included well-defined unilocular radiolucencies and lingual cortical depressions.
- When histology was available, it most commonly showed normal salivary gland tissue without neoplastic transformation.
Why it matters
Atypical locations can make Stafne bone defects harder to recognize than the usual posterior mandibular presentation. Awareness of their reported imaging and anatomical features may help clinicians include this variant in diagnostic assessment. The review also highlights the potential value of advanced imaging when findings are ambiguous, while its evidence base consists of published case reports and case series.
What to keep in mind
The evidence is drawn from case reports and case series, so it describes reported cases rather than establishing prevalence or comparative diagnostic performance.