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Updated: May 11, 2026
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Specificity of paediatric jawbone lesions: tumours and pseudotumours
Natacha Kadlub1, Tamara Kreindel2, Valère Belle Mbou3
1APHP, Hôpital Necker Enfant Malades (Head of the Department: Vazquez), Service de chirurgie maxillo-faciale, Paris F75015, France; Université Paris 5, UFR médecine Paris Descartes, Paris F75006, France; Centre de références des malformations de la face et de la cavité buccale (Head of the Department: Vazquez), France; Laboratoire de Physiopathologie orale et Moléculaire (Head of the Department: Berdal), INSERM, UMRS 872, Equipe 5, Centre de recherche des Cordeliers, Paris 75006, France.
Introduction:
Characteristics and epidemiology of jaw tumours have been described mostly in adults. Compared with their adult counterparts, childhood jaw tumours show considerable differences. The aim of this study was to describe the different jaw tumours in children, define diagnostic tools to determine their specificity and describe optimal treatment.
Methods:
All children patients with jaw lesions, excluding cysts, apical granuloma and osteitis were included in our study between 1999 and 2009. The medical records were analyzed for clinical, radiological, and pathological findings, treatments and recurrences.
Results:
Mean patient age was 10.9 years old, ranging from 2 months to 18 years old. Of the 63 lesions, 18 were odontogenic and 45 non-odontogenic lesions. 6% of all cases were malignant tumours; the mean age of presentation was 7.25 years old, [ranging from 0.2 to 18 years old]. Approximately 80% of the tumours developed after 6 years of age. Odontogenic tumours occurred more often after the age of 6.
Conclusion:
Compared with their adult counterpart, childhood jaw tumours show considerable differences in their clinical behaviour and radiological and pathological characteristics. Clinical features of some tumours can be specific to children. Tumourigenesis is related to dental development and facial growth. Conservative treatment should be considered.
