Benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws in children. A 12-year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Fibro-osseous lesions, a diverse group of bone disorders including developmental, reactive or dysplastic diseases and neoplasms, share overlapping clinical, radiographic and histopathologic features and demonstrate a wide range of biological behaviour.

Aim: To evaluate the characteristics, treatment and outcome of benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws in children.

Patients and method: All patients with fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws treated at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the «A & P Kyriakou» Children's Hospital of Athens from 2000 to 2011 were included in this study. Data were retrieved from patients' files and their present situation was registered.

Results: Sixteen males and 10 females (mean age 8.5 years) were treated. Fibrous dysplasia was most often encountered (26.9%), and the mandible was the most frequent location (76.9%). All cases were surgically treated and histopathologically confirmed. Marginal ostectomy was performed in 7 cases, partial ostectomy in 4, enucleation and curettage in 10 and trimming-remodelling in 5 cases. Mean follow-up was of 5.5 years with no recurrence, except in one case of fibrous dysplasia.

Conclusions: Fibro-osseous lesions, although sharing similar microscopic features, exhibit a variety of clinical behaviour rendering their treatment highly individualized.

Keywords: Children; Fibro-osseous lesions; Jaws; Treatment.