Demographic Profile of Non-Odontogenic Jaw Lesions in an Iranian Population: A 30-Year Archive Review

OBJECTIVES: The frequency of non-odontogenic lesions of the jawbones is lower than that of odontogenic lesions; however, study of the epidemiologic data of these lesions is required for health care programs. This study aimed to assess the relative frequency and demographic profile of non-odontogenic jaw lesions in an Iranian population over a 30-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This archive review was performed using demographic and biopsy information of all patients with non-odontogenic lesions of the jawbones submitted to the Oral Pathology Department of Dental School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 1984 to 2014. Demographic data included in the study were: age at diagnosis, gender and location of lesion. The lesions were divided into three groups of group 1: cystic lesions, group 2: tumors and tumor-like lesions, and group 3: infectious/inflammatory/reactive lesions. Frequency and clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of 972 non-odontogenic jaw lesions, the ratio of mandibular to maxillary lesions was 1.63:1. Female to male ratio was 1.33:1 and the mean age of patients was 29.09±16.90 years. The most common non-odontogenic jaw lesion was central giant cell granuloma (CGCG). In groups 1, 2 and 3, nasopalatine duct cyst, CGCG, and osteomyelitis were the most frequent lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Non-odontogenic lesions of the jawbones are a diverse group of lesions with different frequency and behavior. This study demonstrated that tumors and tumor-like lesions of the jaws were more common than cystic and infectious/inflammatory/reactive lesions. Overall, the most common non-odontogenic jaw lesion was CGCG.