Pattern of occurrence of odontogenic cysts in Nigerians

Objective: To determine the relative frequency and histopathologic pattern of odontogenic cysts ire a Nigerian population. Design: Retrospective study of case notes and histologic reports and slides . Setting: Teaching Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria, Subjects: Seven hundred and fifteen patients seen between 1982 and 1996 wit h histologically confirmed oral lesions, Results: Sixty five (8.8%) of all oral lesions during the study period were odontogenic cysts among which 61.9% were radicular, 19% dentigerous and 14 .3% keratocysts. Other uncharacterised odontogenic cysts constituted 3.8%. The peak incidence was in the second decade (44.4%) while the mean ages of occurrence were 26.5, 12.8 and 29.3 years for the radicular, dentigerous an d odontogenic keratocysts respectively. The overall sex incidence was almos t equal (male to female ratio (1:1.1). The radicular and dentigerous cysts were more commonly seen in the maxilla while the odontogenic keratocysts we re more in the mandible. Conclusion: There is need for more studies in African populations to establ ish the true pattern of odontogenic cysts.