Stafne bone cavity: A case report and literature review

Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is a type of well-defined mandibular defect or cavity change located on the lingual side of the mandible and is usually not accompanied by sensory abnormalities. Clinically, SBC cases are incidentally discovered during radiographic examinations in the course of dental treatment. As a result, the actual incidence of SBC may be higher than the reported figures. Due to the rarity of SBC and its tendency of being misdiagnosed, patients may undergo unnecessary tests, leading to increased healthcare costs, radiation exposure, and psychological burden, and in some cases, potentially delaying treatment. This article reports a case of SBC and conducts a literature review to arouse the attention and awareness of stomatologists, thereby improving the recognition and diagnostic accuracy of this condition.