A diagnostic challenge: anterior variant of mandibular lingual bone depression

Mandibular lingual bone depressions are considered to be developmental anomalies and most clinicians are familiar with the posterior variant (known as Stafne's bone cavity) that occurs in lingual mandibular molar regions, adjacent to the submandibular gland and below the mandibular canal. The anterior variant of the mandibular lingual bone depression is an asymptomatic bone cavity that occurs adjacent to the sublingual gland in the anterior mandible. Radiographically, it appears as a well-corticated radiolucency that retains a normal trabecular pattern internally. CT imaging is diagnostic and avoids surgical and sialographic procedures. This article reviews radiographic and CT features of a case involving the anterior variant of mandibular lingual bone depression.