Our study provides demographic data on a large series of odontogenic cysts in a European population. This is one of the largest series reported to date. Cysts such as the paradental cyst have a predilection for certain ages, sexes and sites. Odontogenic keratocysts and glandular odontogenic cysts have a marked propensity to recur as well as behave aggressively. It is essential that such lesions are detected as early as possible to minimize any necessary surgery.

This survey showed that while the majority of diagnoses are benign, approximately one in 19 cases required major head and neck surgery for malignant disease.

Summary.Aim. The vast majority of oral diseases are confined to oral tissues, but numerous underlying systemic conditions may present with signs and symptoms within the oral cavity. Since the epidemiology of diseases is variable between regions, the authors carried out Europe's first paediatric-based survey of oral and maxillofacial pathology specimens submitted for diagnosis. Design. All entries for specimens from children between the ages of 0 and 16 years during the 30-year period from 1973 to 2002 were retrieved and compiled into 12 diagnostic categories. Results. During the study period, 4406 (8·2%) specimens came from children between the ages of 0 and 16 years, with a male to female ratio of 1·01. The diagnostic category with the largest number of specimens was tooth pathology (22·1%), followed by salivary gland disease (19·1%) and mucosal pathology (12·1%). In all, there were 114 benign tumours of nonodontogenic origin, 43 odontogenic tumours and 31 malignant tumours. The most frequently diagnosed lesions were mucous extravasation cysts, which accounted for over 16% of cases. Periapical pathology in the form of a radicular cyst, residual cyst or chronic periapical granuloma formed almost 13% of all cases.Conclusions. This survey shows that, while nearly 10% of specimens submitted to the authors' laboratory are from children under 16 years of age, the majority of lesions are of a benign nature, requiring minimal intervention; less than 1% of cases comprise malignant lesions. Odontogenic tumours are relatively rare in this age group; however, certain lesions such as adenomatoid odontogenic tumour and ameloblastic fibroma occur predominantly in children and, therefore, remain an important diagnostic consideration.

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