Maxillofacial lesions: a survey of 762 cases from the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil

Introduction: Epidemiological survey of maxillofacial lesions in a specific geographic region establishes the real needs of this population and guides health professionals in defining preventive actions and appropriate treatment.Objective: To analyze the histopathological diagnosis of maxillofacial lesions issued in the period 1996-2011 managed by the Laboratory of Oral Pathology, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil.Material and method: A retrospective study of biopsies removed from 1996-2011 was conducted, recovering data related to gender and age of the patients, location of the lesions and histopathological diagnosis. The lesions were grouped into eight diagnostic categories: benign neoplasms, potentially malignant lesions, malignant neoplasms, inflammatory lesions, odontogenic lesions, bone lesions, salivary gland lesions and malformations and developmental anomalies.Result: 762 reports were analyzed, with a higher prevalence of inflammatory lesions (n = 205, 26.9 %). The most common diagnosis among benign neoplasms was the peripheral giant cell granuloma (n=15), among potentially malignant lesions was the epithelial dysplasia (n=80), and in the malignant neoplasm group the most common lesion was the squamous cells carcinoma. (n=29). Analyzing the group of inflammatory lesions, we observed that the prevalent lesion was inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (n=74). Periapical granuloma was the lesion that appeared most commonly among odontogenic lesions. The prevalent lesion among bone lesions was central ossifying fibroma (n=08), among salivary gland lesions was mucous retention (n=64), in the group of developmental anomalies the prevalent lesion was melanocytic macule (n=04).Conclusion: The findings of this survey highlight the importance in developing treatment plans and educational measures to prevent and reduce patients' exposure to risk factors.