Oral pathology in children. Frequency, distribution and clinical significance

A statistical study of 1289 biopsies of children 0-15 years old, received at the Pathology Department, Dental Faculty, Buenos Aires University is presented. This number, represents 6.8% of the 18,966 biopsies received from 1960 to 1985. The histologic diagnosis were grouped into the following categories: 1) cysts, 2) tumour-like lesions, 3) inflammatory lesions, 4) neoplasms, 5) neck and head non-oral lesions, 6) dental anomalies and pulp diseases, 7) unclassified diagnosis. Cysts were the most frequent lesion (25.4%). 75% were localized in the jaws and 25% in soft tissue. Bone tumour-like lesions (20.1%) were less frequent than the soft tissue tumour-like lesions (79.9%). Inflammatory lesions and neoplasms in children, account for 15.7% and 10.2% of the lesions respectively. Eighty four percent of the neoplasms were benign and 16% were malignant. Odontogenic tumours constituted 49.6% of all the neoplasms studied. These results indicate the need to be constantly aware of the possible presence of these clinical and radiographic lesions to allow for early diagnosis and adequate treatment.