Chondroblastoma of the mandibular condyle: A case report

Osteochondroma is a benign tumor usually found in the axial skeleton but rare in the craniomaxillofacial complex. When it occurs in the facial skeleton, it has a predilection for the coronoid and condylar processes. This paper aims to report a rare case of unilateral osteochondroma involving the mandibular condyle in an adult patient and to discuss relevant aspects of the pathology. A 48-year-old male patient presented at the Surgery department complaining of deviation of the mandible to the right side, limitation of mouth opening, and discomfort performing mandibular movements, all with a progression of 3 years. He also presented a volume increase in the left preauricular region with the same evolution time. On tomographic examination, he had an irregular-contour growth of the left condyle measuring 3 x 1.7 x 1.4 mm, in addition to showing active growth by bone scintigraphy. Findings were compatible with osteochondroma, which was the main diagnostic hypothesis. The proposed treatment was total condylectomy of the tumor under general anesthesia via pre-auricular access, using a piezoelectric saw to reduce the morbidity of the procedure. Furthermore, arthroplasty and disc suture were performed on the remaining stump. The patient is in a 1-year postoperative follow-up, with normal and painless mandibular movements, as well as a significant improvement in facial asymmetry, which will be fully corrected by orthognathic surgery. Treatment protocols vary according to the tumor's size and the need to correct sequelae in the stomatognathic system caused by its growth. (Rev Port Estomatol Med Dent Cir Maxilofac. 2022; 63(4):229-236)