A case series of odontogenic keratocysts from a New Zealand population over a 20-year period.

PURPOSE

To report on the clinicopathological aspects of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC)/keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) presenting in a New Zealand population.

METHODS

Information on defined areas--including age at presentation, gender, anatomical sub-location, presenting features, histological subtype and the recurrence pattern--were extracted from the histopathological data available in the Oral Pathology database of the University of Otago School of Dentistry.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty three cases of OKC/ KCOT were identified over the period ranging from 1987 to 2008. Mean age at presentation was 37.0 years (males 38.6 years, females 34.4 years), with 61.0% of cases being male. The mandible was the dominant jaw affected, with 65.9% of lesions, with the angle of mandible being the commonest anatomical sub-location (with 32.4% of lesions). One-fifth of the cases were asymptomatic incidental findings, while the majority of problems were related to the third molar tooth and/or pain and swelling. The overall recurrence rate was 18.3%, with the majority (62.2%) in the mandible and more males (67.5%) affected. Recurrence was highest in the first 5 years of follow-up, and decreased sharply thereafter.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to describe the frequency, distribution, presentation and recurrence rates of OKC/KCOT in New Zealand and shows that these are similar to those reported from other populations.