Ossifying Fibroma: Analysis of Treatment Methods and Recurrence Patterns

Ossifying fibroma (OF) is one of the most frequent of the 3 fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws and has had an inconstant recurrence rate. A definitive surgical protocol has not yet been published. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical and radiologic features of OF at a tertiary hospital in South Africa, assess its management and recurrence patterns, and develop a surgical protocol.

A retrospective case-series analysis was performed of all histopathologically diagnosed OF cases from 1976 to 2014. The demographic data, clinical presentation, and radiographic features were analyzed. The management of each case and follow-up data were also documented. A surgical protocol was developed using these findings.

A total of 61 cases were included in the present study. Most of the patients were female (63.9%) and younger than 40 years old (73.9%), and only few cases were symptomatic (29.5%). The mandibular posterior region was affected most often (55.5%), and most lesions were radiopaque (49.2%) and had well-defined margins (93.6%). Most cases were managed by surgical curettage (68.2%). After an average follow-up period of 20 months, only 1 case had recurred for a recurrence rate of 6.7%.

The lesions in our population were more radiopaque and larger than those in the published data. Surgical curettage is an acceptable management protocol with a low rate of recurrence, and resection should be reserved for aggressive and recurrent lesions.