[Benign odontogenic tumours: epidemiological analysis of 97 cases in the Algerian population]

Odontogenic tumours are often benign. They are originating from dento-maxillary structures and their embryonic remnants. They represent a wide variety of lesions derived from epithelial cells, mesenchymal, or both. The series reported in literature show a distinct geographic variation. However, there has been no concrete study and detailed epidemiological profile of these tumours in the Algerian population.Our prospective study based on the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005, focused on the epidemiological analysis of 97 cases of odontogenic tumours, collected in the department of maxillofacial surgery of the University Hospital of Constantine. This study was designed to determine the relative frequency of such tumours, their distribution by age and sex, and their histological distribution.In our series, women were most affected by the disease (64% of cases) than men (36% of cases). The population was predominantly young with an average age of 29.9 years (range from 12 to 85). The mandible was the site of choice in 74% of cases. Epithelial tumours were diagnosed in 77% of cases; almost half of these cases were ameloblastomas (44% of cases).The distribution of odontogenic tumours is different depending on the population studied. The incidence of ameloblastoma is increased in African and Asian population with a female predominance. On the other hand, the odontoma is the most recognized odontogenic tumour in North America and Europe, and more particularly in men.