Introduction: Osteochondroma (OC) is one of the most common benign tumours of the axial skeleton, but is rarely found in the facial bones. There is debate whether this represents a true tumour or an exostosis. Its clinical presentation in mandibular condyle is usually with a combination of preauricular pain, mandibular dysfunction and facial asymmetry.

Objectives: Clinicopathologic features of OC of the condyle based on the literature and our experience are reviewed.

Patients and methods: 8 adult patients, 3 males and 5 females, with pain and impaired mandibular function and with imaging features of condylar OC were identified (7 unilateral, 1 bilateral OC). Mean age at surgery was 55 years (range, 22–68 years).

Results: Mean follow-up period from initial symptoms to surgical treatment was 1 year (range, 6 months to 5 years). Occlusal equilibration was required in 1 patient with persistent occlusal premature contacts. No patient reported 7th nerve dysfunction after 3 months. All patients remained free of any recurrence.

Conclusions: OC of mandibular condyle is uncommon. When considering surgical risks involved in tumoral exercise and temporomandibular reconstruction, the differential diagnosis is of great importance. A OC was suspected, given the clinical characteristics of the lesion; changes in occlusion with unilateral posterior open bite and contralateral crossbite are related to the anatomic location of tumour and are due to alteration in vertical dimension. 3D-Computed tomography shows OC as a growth arising from the normal condyle, distinguishing it from condylar hyperplasia seen as an enlargement of the condylar process.

Conflict of interest: None declared.