Radiological characteristics of benign jaw tumours in Cameroon: 2010–2020

Introduction

Benign jaw tumours or tumour-like swellings of the jaws can be classified as odontogenic; derived from odontogenic tissues or non-odontogenic.

Once a preliminary diagnosis is made, physicians have to conduct full radiographic investigations in order to make a fairly accurate description of the tumour.

Methods

This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at the Stomatology and maxillofacial surgery and radiology units of 4 medical centres in Yaoundé. 62 participants with radiological work ups were retained in the study with 13 participants having at least one recurrence.

Results

The radiographic lesions were mostly unilocular (67.74 %, n = 42), 52(83.9 %) of our study participants had a tumour size ≥4 cm, the mandibular location was more represented in our study with 72.6 %(n = 45) and the fourth decade was the most represented age group with basal cortical perforation (44.4 %, n = 4).

In our study the orthopantomogram and CT (computed tomography) scans were the only imaging modality used as a result of the cost and accessibility.

Conclusion

Multilocular tumor presentation was associated with recurrence in our study and the fourth decade had the most cases of basal cortical perforation. Radiological characteristics of benign jaw tumour should be taken more into consideration as better description of these radiological characteristics can help with the treatment of benign jaw tumours and reduce complications like recurrence.