Odontogenic tumors in Ethiopia: eight years retrospective study

Odontogenic tumor (OT) comprises a large heterogeneous group of lesions arising from tooth producing tissues or its remnants. Studies on OTs are scarce in Ethiopia. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the pattern of OTs in Ethiopia.

An 8 years retrospective study was conducted at the Dental and Maxillofacial Department, St. Paul's referral hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected by reviewing the medical records of patients who visited the Department from September 2008 to August 2015. All the collected data were coded, checked, edited and entered to SPSS windows 18. Lastly, descriptive statistics, and logistic regression were performed for data analysis.

A total of 448 patient's socio-demographic, and clinical data were reviewed from the registry book of patients diagnosed with OT. Of these, only 163 patient's records were complete and suitable for the study. 88 (54%) of the study subjects (163) were males, while the remaining 75 (46%) were females. The mean age of patients was 34, ranging between 8 and 80 years. 132 (81.0%) of the OTs were benign, and the rest 31 (19.0%) were malignant type. 126 (77.3%) of OTs occurred in the mandible, and the remaining 37 (22.3%) were located in the maxilla. 135 (82.8%) of the patients had primary surgical treatment. Continuity defect, facial disfigurement and malocclusion were the most frequently encountered complications after surgery. Living in rural areas showed statistically significant association with complication after surgery [Adjusted OR = 2.13, (95% CI: 0.98, 4.6)]. In addition, tumor size had statistically significant association with complication after surgery [Adjusted OR = 4.24, (95% CI: 1.76, 10.21)].

OTs were mainly found in males than their females counterpart. Benign OT was predominant over malignant OTs. Regular checkup and/or visit to dentists could help early case detection, and management of OTs.