Hypertrophic Mental Tubercles of the Mandible

Publication date: Available online 21 March 2018
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Bonnie L. Padwa, Nicole Beck, Cory M. Resnick
PurposeEnlarged mental tubercles are rare benign exostoses that occur in children. The purpose of this study was to report a case series of patients with hypertrophic mental tubercles and propose a theory for their etiopathogenesis.Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective case series of patients with hypertrophic mental tubercles. Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, clinical presentation, findings on physical examination and radiographic images, and management details. Descriptive data were summarized.ResultsThe sample included 14 patients (71% males) who presented at a mean age of 12.9 ± 4.8 years (range: 6 – 21 years). The majority of subjects had bilaterally enlarged mental tubercles (n=8); unilateral cases were primarily on the left side (5/6). On clinical examination, a bony prominence in the parasymphyseal region was noted on palpation and occasionally by visual inspection. There was no tenderness to palpation or overlying skin changes. Typical radiographic features included asymmetry along the inferior border of the mandible in the parasymphyseal region on panoramic radiograph and prominence/enlargement of the mental tubercles on computed tomography scan. There was no evidence of cortical expansion, perforation or periosteal reaction. Three patients requested contouring of the hypertrophied tubercles.ConclusionsHypertrophic mental tubercles are rare bony exostoses that occur in children in a region where a confluence of facial muscles attach to the mandible. The etiology likely involves bone deposition occurring in an area of muscle pull.



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