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

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. 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. 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%). This clinicopathologic study revealed that a broad spectrum of mostly benign bony lesions may occur during childhood.