Abstract:
OBJECTIVES : The aim of the current study was to analyse the demographic, clinical and radiological
features of primary aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) involving the maxillofacial region.
METHODS : Histologically confirmed cases affecting the maxillofacial region were retrospectively
reviewed over a 21-year
period (2000–2021). Cases were collected from the archives of
five Oral Pathology laboratories from three countries: South Africa, Guatemala and Brazil.
The information was analysed, with emphasis on the clinical and radiological spectrum.
RESULTS : Following the inclusion criteria, a total of 31 cases of primary ABCs were included
in the study. A nearly equal male-to-
female
distribution was seen, with ABCs occurring in
males at an earlier age compared to females. Localised swelling was the main clinical presentation.
ABCs had a mandibular predominance, particularly in the posterior regions. All ABCs
presented as blow-out
expansile well-demarcated
radiolucent lesions with the majority having
a multilocular appearance. Cortical expansion was seen in 91% of cases with loss of cortical
integrity being common (78%).
CONCLUSION : Primary ABCs involving the maxillofacial region are extremely rare with the
majority of current published literature consisting of isolated case reports. The current study
is the first large series detailing the radiological features.
