Analysis of demographic data obtained from pathology records

INTRODUCTION

Pathologists commonly analyse patient data obtained from pathology records. Such information is useful in that it might provide an indication of changing patterns of disease, or of the aetio-pathogenesis of a disease process, but such data is seldom standardised.

AIM

To determine to what extent the lack of standardisation may influence the resultant data and the conclusions drawn.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pathology reports of all cysts diagnosed from 1994 to 2004 were retrieved. The diagnosis and site of the cyst, and the age, gender and race of patient were analysed. Comparative data from 1958 to 1992 was obtained from the text "Cysts of the oral regions". The data from the different periods was statistically compared. Only the four most common cysts were included: radicular, dentigerous, odontogenic keratocyst and nasopalatine duct cysts.

RESULTS

There was no difference in frequency and site of cysts or in age of patients. Statistically significant differences were found in the gender and race comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Do the differences reflect a changing pattern of disease or are they due to changes in the demographics of the patient pool from which the surgical specimens were obtained? We favour the latter. Awareness of the fact that data from either survey is not reliable due to lack of standardisation is pertinent to avoid drawing fundamental conclusions from such data.

Nasolabial cyst: 18.5 year experience in a pathology laboratory

AIM

This paper offers a survey of nasolabial cysts diagnosed at the Pathology Laboratory of the Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (Brazil) over a period of 18.5 years, and a case report.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on biopsies performed at the Pathology Laboratory of the UFVJM School of Dentistry between January 1992 and July 2010.

RESULTS

Among a total of 2730 histopathological exams of biopsies performed at the UFVJM Pathology Laboratory, 288 (10.54%) were different types of cysts, The prevalence of NLC was 0.29% (8 cases) in relation to the overall sample and 2.43% among all cysts. NLC only occurred in the female gender in the age group spanning from 25 to 62 years (mean: 40.00 years; standard deviation (SD): 13.48 years). The duration of evolution ranged from six to 18 months (mean: 12 months; SD: 3.79 months). The cysts were asymptomatic in 62.5% of cases. Cyst size ranged from 10 to 30 mm (mean: 16.86; SD: 8.00 mm). In six cases (75%), the radiographic exams were consistent with the final diagnosis, whereas there were no records of radiographic images in two cases (25%). Surgical excision was the treatment of choice for all cases.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of NLC, such as location, elevation of the nasal wing, disappearance of the nasolabial sulcus, nasal obstruction, floatation of the cyst and the presence of cystic liquid in the interior, are enough to suggest the diagnosis of this cyst. However, the confirmation of the diagnosis is performed through biopsy and histopathological analysis.

Oral and facial inclusion cysts in newborns

This study assessed the frequency of milia, alveolar and palatal cysts prevalence in newborns as well as the time for complete involution of the most common reported inclusion cyst. Milia, alveolar and palatal cysts were observed in respectively, 31.4%, 28.2% and 78.8% of the newborns. Those that presented milia were 1.2 times more likely to present alveolar cysts. Mean time for complete involution of palatal cysts was 4.5 weeks.

[The nasopalatine duct cyst--epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy]

The nasopalatine duct cyst is the most frequent nonodontogenic cyst of the jaws. The cyst originates from epithelial remanents from the nasopalatine duct. The cells may be activated spontaneously during life, or are eventually stimulated by the irritating action of various agents (infection, etc.). Generally, patients present without clinical signs and symptoms. Therefore, the tentative diagnosis "nasopalatine duct cyst" is often based on a coincidental radiological finding on a routine panoramic view or occlusal radiograph. The definite diagnosis should be based on clinical, radiological and histopathologic findings. The therapy of nasopalatine duct cysts consists of an enucleation of the cystic tissue, only in rare cases a marsupialization needs to be performed. The present review of the literature presents and discusses the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic work-up, differential diagnostic aspects, histopatholgy, and therapeutic strategies for nasopalatine duct cysts.

Retrospective analysis of 31 cases of nasopalatine duct cyst

OBJECTIVE

To perform a retrospective analysis of patients with nasopalatine duct cysts (NPDC) in Brazil and compare with previous analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The files of the Laboratory of Oral Pathology (Minas Gerais Federal University) from 1966 to 1997 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and histologic data of patients with nasopalatine duct cysts were collected.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with nasopalatine duct cysts at the time of diagnosis was 37.4 years and with a predilection for males. The majority of cases were asymptomatic. Histologically, non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium alone or in combination with other epithelia was observed in 93% of the cases. Recurrence was not recorded.

CONCLUSION

The demographic, histopathological, radiographic, and clinical data of the NPDC in our series are similar to previous studies in other populations.

Statistical observations on jaw cysts in Enugu, Nigeria, 1987-1996

Cases of jaw cysts treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu during the 10 year period between 1987 and 1996 were studied clinically. A diagnosis of jaw cyst was established in 20 patients during the above period. According to pathological classification by the WHO method, these patients included 10 (50%) with dentigerous cyst, 3 (15%) with radicular cyst, 3 (15%) with odontogenic keratocyst, 3 (15%) with fissural cyst (nasopalatine duct cyst, nasoalveolar cyst, globulomaxillary cyst), 1 (5%) with dermoid cyst. Patients with dentigerous cyst, which was found at relatively high frequency, were further analyzed with regard to age, sex, and anatomical distribution. Among patients with dentigerous cyst, those aged between 21 and 40 years accounted for 60%. Males outnumbered females in a ratio of 1.5:1. Dentigerous cyst occurred most frequently in the region of the mandibular wisdom teeth. The relatively very small number of cases, the need for more research on the subject and the need to educate the general public on oral hygiene are highlighted.

Oral findings in a group of newborn Swedish children

Oral examinations were performed of 1021 newborn Swedish children, of whom 101 were re-examined after 2-3 or 4-5 months. The most common findings, registered in 74.9% of the children, were of oral mucosal cysts situated either palatally or on the alveolar ridges. The majority of the palatal cysts disappeared shortly after birth, and some alveolar cysts appeared after birth. Ankyloglossia was found in 2.5% of the children, and Fordyce spots in 1.0%. No natal teeth were found. The upper labial frenum was attached to the crest of the alveolar ridge in 76.7% of the children, palatally in 16.7% and buccally in 6.7%. The relationship of the alveolar ridges was recorded: the anterior segment of the mandibular ridge was distal to the maxillary in 99% of cases, and, posteriorly, the mandibular ridges were lingual to the maxillary in 97.6%. An open bite was found in 39.8% of the children.