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.