Intra-osseous lesions in Greek children and adolescents. A study based on biopsy material over a 26-year period

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the spectrum of oral intra-osseous lesions in a Greek population, consisting of children and adolescents under 18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was obtained from the histopathological reports that accompanied biopsy request forms, which were retrieved from the files of the Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Athens, during a 26-year period. A retrospective analysis with respect to patients' age and gender, frequency and location of the lesions was performed. The lesions were classified into cystic (odontogenic and non-odontogenic) and solid lesions (odontogenic and non-odontogenic). The patients were divided into three age groups: a) 0-6 years old, b) 7-12 years old and c) 13-18 years old. RESULTS: 474 intra-osseous lesions were detected and represented 2.38% out of a total of 19933 biopsies. Male/female ratio was 1.25/1. The majority of the lesions was located in the mandible (49.8%) and occurred in the third age group of patients (58.7%). Odontogenic cysts represented the most frequent intraosseous lesion (64.1%) followed by non-odontogenic solid lesions representing 22.5% of the intra-osseous population. The most frequently encountered lesions in descending order were radicular (36.3%) and dentigerous (18%) cysts, keratocysts (9.5%), apical granulomas (7.6%), odontomas (6%) and fibrous dysplasia (5%). Only 6 malignant lesions were reported (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: This clinicopathologic study revealed that a broad spectrum of mostly benign bony lesions may occur during childhood.