Dermatologic Lesions Submitted to an Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service: An Analysis of 2487 Cases

Skin lesions are often submitted to oral and maxillofacial pathology practices. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency, distribution, variability, and composition of dermatologic lesions within a large oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service. An IRB-approved retrospective search of skin lesions diagnosed at University of Florida oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service between 1994 and 2015 was performed. 2487 cases were included in the study. Gender was reported in 2466 cases, of which 59% were male and 41% female. Age was provided in 2367 cases and ranged from 2 weeks to 96 years with an average of 55 years. Location was indicated in 2473 cases. Lips were the most common (41.7%), followed by face (25.3%), neck (7.4%), nose (6.5%), periorbital (5.3%), ear (4.1%), and scalp (3.8%). Of the 2487 cases, five diagnoses (actinic keratosis/cheilitis, intradermal nevus, epidermal inclusion cyst, seborrheic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma) constituted 84.4% of the cases. 69 of 2487 cases (2.8%) resulted in dermatopathologic consultation prior to final reporting. Skin lesions accounted for ~ 1.0% of all lesions submitted to an oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service. This study found a large variation in the dermatologic lesions submitted to an oral pathology biopsy service. Although most were routine in complexity, dermatopathology consultation was an important tool in the diagnosis of the more challenging cases. This study may help pathologists gain a better understanding of the frequency and variability of dermatologic lesions submitted to an oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service and promote more interdisciplinary consultation within the field. This study evaluated the incidence and scope of dermatologic lesions submitted to a large oral and maxillofacial pathology biopsy service over a long time period. A wide scope of lesions was found, and dermatopathology consultation was important to quality assurance.