Benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws: a clinicopathologic study of 98 Tanzanian patients

Abstract

Introduction: The benign fibro-osseous lesions (BFOL) are characterized by replacement of the normal bone by cellular fibrous tissue containing various forms of ossification. They encompass common clinical, radiologic and histopathological features and hence pose considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to clinicians and pathologists. Objective: To analyze the clinico-pathological and radiological features of BFOLs of the jaws in patients treated at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Material and methods: A retrospective study of files of patients who were diagnosed with BFOLs from January 2011 to December 2013 was done. The collected information included data on demographic characteristics, the duration of the lesion, location of the lesion, presence of swelling, associated symptoms and reported radiological and histological features. Results: A total of 98 patient's records were retrieved. There was a predominance of females (59, 60.2%), with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The patient's age at presentation ranged from 5 years to 75 years with a mean age of 29.81 ± 15.28 years. Four types of BFOLs were encountered. Ossifying fibroma were the most frequent (61.2%), followed by fibrous dysplasia (19.4%). Maxilla was more affected than the mandible. Majority (>70%) of the BFOLs were radio-opaque. The common histological features in all four types of BFOL included presence of: woven bone in fibrous stroma, giant cells, loose collagen and foci of hemorrhage. Conclusion: In this sample, BFOLs, were slightly more prevalent in females than males, affecting individuals below 40 years at large. They showed several overlapping clinical, radiological and histological features; thus a combination of different modalities seems necessary for an accurate diagnosis.