OSSIFYING FIBROMA OF THE SUPERIOR MAXILLA

Abstract

Ossifying fibroma is a rare benign tumor of nondental origin. Fibroma of this type is mixed with osseous elements in varying amounts. It has been described as ossifying fibroma, osseous fibroma, fibro-osteoid osteoma, central osteoma, sclerosing fibroma, hypertrophic localized osteitis, localized osteodystrophic fibroma and localized osteitis fibrosa.¹Ewing²called this type of growth secondary osteoma since it appears as a result of secondary ossification of the connective tissue. Because of the comparative rarity of the tumor and clinical unfamiliarity with it, some observers have unwittingly treated it as a cancer, needlessly subjecting the patient to a radical resection, often with disastrous cosmetic results. REPORT OF THREE CASES The data on the first 2 of the 3 cases to be reported originated from the Research and Educational Hospital of the University of Illinois. A histologic study of the first case was recently reported by Dr. Hans Brunner.³ Case1.—The patient was