Variable presentations of aneurysmal bone cysts of the jaws: 51 cases treated during a 30-year period

Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the clinicohistopathological features of maxillofacial aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) to distinguish parameters significant to diagnosis and treatment, adding to the body of literature on the subject. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients with maxillofacial ABCs treated during a 30-year period were evaluated. The demographics, histopathological findings, site, age, gender distribution, and types of maxillofacial ABCs were evaluated. The data, therapeutic results, and recurrences were then analyzed. Results: Fifty-one patients diagnosed and treated for ABCs were studied in our series. These included 29 (56.9%) males and 22 (43.1%) females ranging in age from 7 to 58 years, with a mean age of 19.53 +/- 10.79. More than 3/4 of the lesions involved the mandible. ABCs were significantly more common in the mandible and in the first 2 decades of life (P < .05). The site distribution of the location of ABCs within the arch was about equal. Rapidly growing swelling was a significant clinical feature in the majority of the cases (92.2%). ABCs had variable radiographic presentation, but all were radiolucent. All cases were treated by excision and curettage with 84.4% success in the first operation. Eight patients (15.6%) had recurrences after treatment during the follow-up period (2-30 years). Conclusion: Maxillofacial ABCs are uncommon lesions with variable clinical and histological presentations that often respond to treatment by surgical curettage. Recurrence may be attributed to incomplete removal of the lesion. (C) 2008 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.