Fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Fibro-osseous lesion is a broad term for a diverse group of jaw disorders characterized by the replacement of normal bone by a benign fibrous connective tissue matrix. The present study reviewed the clinico-pathologic characteristics of all biopsied cases of fibro-osseous lesions at our hospital from 1990 to 2011, which we hope will serve as a reference database regionally. METHODS: A retrospective clinicopathological review of all histologically diagnosed cases of jaw fibro-osseous lesions seen at our Hospital between January 1990 and December 2011. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and twenty one fibro-osseous lesions of jaws were histological diagnosed in the 22-year period. The lesions documented included ossifying fibroma (62%), fibrous dysplasia (37.2%) and florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (0.8%). Fibro-osseous lesions of jaws were more in females (61.2%) than males (38.8%), giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.6. CONCLUSION: Fibro-osseous lesions of jaw are a diverse group and since it may not be possible to adequately separate them histologically, the development of a more rigorous clinical algorithm as indicated in this study is essential in reaching a final diagnosis especially in resource-limited settings.