Peripheral odontogenic fibroma exhibiting features of benign fibrous histiocytoma: Report of an unusual case

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a rare benign mesenchymal odontogenic tumor consisting of mature fibrous connective tissue interspersed with varying amounts of inactive odontogenic epithelial islands and focal areas of calcification. OF may be central or peripheral. Peripheral OF (POF) is more common than its central counterpart. The epithelium-rich type of POF is designated as the complex type [World Health Organization (WHO) type] by WHO. Here, we report a case of POF (WHO- type) in the mandibular gingiva of a 52-year-old male patient. There was a firm, pedunculated, non-ulcerated, non-tender growth in the mandibular gingiva. Excisional biopsy revealed the striking feature of POF with concurrent presence of benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) like areas. As POF is not a common finding clinically, it is not usually included as a differential diagnosis of benign gingival growths. Such type of rare presentation of POF with BFH-like areas is a novel finding.