To study the clinical manifestations and biological characteristics of Stafne bone cavity and to reduce misdiagnosis and excessive treatment.

Four cases of typical Stafne bone cavity, including clinical features and follow-up data, were retrospectively analyzed, and the results, combined with a review of the literature, were analyzed in terms of the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria and treatment of Stafne bone cavity.

Stafne bone cavity is also known as static bone cavity, idiopathic bone cavity, latent bone cavity defects, aberrant salivary glands, heterotopic mandibular salivary glands, mandibular lingual bone cavity, mandibular lingual cortical bone defect, etc. The incidence of Stafne bone cavity is approximately 0.5%. This condition is easily misdiagnosed as a jaw or jaw cyst tumor and treated unnecessarily. Most scholars believe that the causes of Stafne bone cavity can be divided into two types: developmental and glandular. Stafne bone cavity is characterized by either no symptoms or occasional pain. This condition is observed mostly in 40-60-year-old male patients. The imaging diagnostic criteria for Stafne bone cavity are as follows: ① projecting round or ovoid mandible and uniform density with a distinct bone-cortical white line; ② clearly distinguishable from adjacent structures, such as teeth; ③ typical location in the mandibular angle and molar area, below the mandibular neural tube. Most Stafne bone cavities without advanced bone destruction do not require treatment, although individual cases may gradually progress.

Stafne bone cavity presents no symptoms or causes occasional pain and can be clearly diagnosed with CBCT. This condition does not require surgical treatment and should be followed up with observation.

To assess the safety and feasibility of incision in the retroauricular sulcus for removal of benign tumors in the lower pole of the parotid gland and to provide some ideas for aesthetic consideration of parotidectomy.

In total, 18 cases with benign tumors of the lower pole regions of the parotid gland were included in this study, including 9 pleomorphic adenomas, 2 myoepitheliomas, 5 Warthin tumors, 1 basal cell adenoma and 1 oncocytoma. Three months after the operation, facial paralysis and salivary fistula were assessed. A visual analog scale was used to score the cosmetic satisfaction of the surgical incision. Tumor recurrence was followed up 6 ~ 12 months after operation.

In 18 patients with benign tumors the lower pole regions of the parotid gland, the tumor diameter ranges from 1.0 to 3.1 cm, with an average value of 2.5 cm. All patients experienced successful complete removal of the parotid mass with the minimally invasive retroauricular approach, and all wounds healed in one stage after operation. No serious complications, such as permanent facial paralysis and tumor recurrence, occurred 3 months after the operation. The patients were satisfied with the appearance of the surgical incision (aesthetic score 9.3 ± 0.4), achieving the expected aesthetic effect.

This approach is feasible and safe for most small benign parotid tumors located in the lower pole region of the parotid gland and in the posterior region of the jaw. The scar is located in the retroauricular sulcus, which significantly meets the aesthetic needs of the concealed incision for patients.