title: Central odontogenic fibroma of the mandible: A case report with diagnostic considerations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Odontogenic fibroma (OF), a rare odontogenic tumor of mesodermal origin, has been thought to originate from either dental follicle, periodontal ligament, or dental papilla [1]. Different studies reported high variability in the incidence rate as being between 3 and 23% of all odontogenic tumors [2,3]. OF manifests a dual character at the histopathological examination showing odontogenic epithelial structures mimicking those observed in biopsy of ameloblastoma and, in addition, peculiar fragments of cellular stroma. The clinical and radiological features of OF are similar to other odontogenic and/or non-odontogenic tumours and the differential diagnosis may first occur at fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the case reported, a young patient showed a localized gingival enlargement involving radiologically the superior margin of the right angle of the mandible and associated with an un-erupted tooth. The morphological characteristics together with clinical and radiologic findings confirmed the tumor to be a central odontogenic fibroma (COF) with secondary gingival involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benign odontogenic tumors may be distinguished from other odontogenic/non-odontogenic neoplasias and from malignant tumours through a cytologic differential diagnosis as treatment differs accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Services and Laboratories, Institute of Histopathology and Diagnostic Cytopathology, Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura 'Giovanni Paolo II'-UCSC, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pannone
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy; IRCCS CROB - Basilicata Cancer Institute, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Pantaleo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bufo
authors.affiliation: IRCCS CROB - Basilicata Cancer Institute, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Oral Pathology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lo Muzio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saviano
keywords: Differential diagnosis; Odontogenic tumor