Characteristic Radiological and Histological Patterns of Fibrous Dysplasia and Ossifying Fibroma of the Jaws at University of Nairobi Dental Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the diagnostic features of ossifying fibroma (OF) and fibrous dysplasia (FD) of the jaw bones. Study Design: A histopathological and radiological analysis with full clinical documentation. Setting: University of Nairobi Dental Teaching Hospital (UNDH). Study Population: All archival cases diagnosed as FD and OF from 1992-2006 were retrieved from the UNDH Oral Pathology Laboratory records. New cases were included as they pre-sented over a 6-month period from January to June 2007. Methodology: Information regarding the histological type of a fibro-osseous lesion (FOL) including the clinical features, demographic and radiographic data was documented for analysis; and comparison between pathological parameters and the final diagnosis was evaluated with the chi-square test. Results: FD lesions constituted 40 (27.2%) cases while 107 (72.8%) were OF. The age ranged from 1 - 72 years (mean = 24.19 ± SD 13 years). The differences in the gender distribution were not statistically significant. Radiographic analyses showed statistically significant differences between the appearances of the body (p = 0.012) and the margins (p = 0.003) of FD and OF. The microscopic differences between the two lesions were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Differentiation between FD and OF is only possible after critically analyzing the clinical, radiological and histological criteria.