Osteoma (synonyms: ivory osteoma; juxtacortical osteoma; classic osteoma; medullary osteoma; enostoma; enosteoma; compact islet; compact osteoma; osteoma medullare; osteoma durum; ICD-10-GM D16.-: Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage) refers to a benign (benign) neoplasm (neoplasm) of bone that frequently occurs in the cranial region, particularly in the paranasal sinuses, but also in the trunk and limb skeleton.
Osteoma is one of the primary tumors. Typical for primary tumors is their respective course and that they can be assigned to a certain age range (see “Frequency peak”) as well as a characteristic localization (see under “Symptoms – complaints”). They occur more frequently at the sites of most intensive longitudinal growth (metaepiphyseal/articular region). This explains why bone tumors occur more frequently during puberty. They grow infiltratively (invading/displacing), crossing anatomical boundary layers. Secondary bone tumors also grow infiltratively, but usually do not cross boundaries.
As a rule, osteomas occur solitarily (singly). If they occur multiply, Gardner’s syndrome – genetic disease with autosomal dominant inheritance, in which there is development of colonic polyps (colon polyps), benign bone tumors and multiple soft tissue tumors – must be considered.
Sex ratio: males to females is 2: 1.
Peak incidence: osteoma occurs predominantly between the ages of 30 and 50.
Osteoma is a rare bone tumor (0.4% of all bone tumors).
The course and prognosis depend on the location and extent of the osteoma. In benign (benign) tumors, it is initially possible to wait and observe (“watch and wait” strategy). The osteoma grows slowly and is usually asymptomatic. Depending on the localization of the osteoma, symptoms of the nose or paranasal sinuses as well as of the eyes may occur. Differentially, a malignant (malignant) parosseous osteosarcoma (which originates on the bone surface) must be considered, because the osteoma is very similar to it. The crucial difference is the localization: while osteoma is usually localized in the head, parosseous osteosarcoma often occurs on the back of the distal (away from the center of the body) femur.An osteoma, if it causes discomfort, is resected (surgically removed). Malignant degeneration is not known to occur. In general, the prognosis for patients with an osteoma is very good.
