Objective: To characterize the diagnostic features of ossifying fibroma (OF) and fibrous dysplasia (FD) of the jaw bones. Study Design: A histopathological and radiological analysis with full clinical documentation. Setting: University of Nairobi Dental Teaching Hospital (UNDH). Study Population: All archival cases diagnosed as FD and OF from 1992-2006 were retrieved from the UNDH Oral Pathology Laboratory records. New cases were included as they pre-sented over a 6-month period from January to June 2007. Methodology: Information regarding the histological type of a fibro-osseous lesion (FOL) including the clinical features, demographic and radiographic data was documented for analysis; and comparison between pathological parameters and the final diagnosis was evaluated with the chi-square test. Results: FD lesions constituted 40 (27.2%) cases while 107 (72.8%) were OF. The age ranged from 1 - 72 years (mean = 24.19 ± SD 13 years). The differences in the gender distribution were not statistically significant. Radiographic analyses showed statistically significant differences between the appearances of the body (p = 0.012) and the margins (p = 0.003) of FD and OF. The microscopic differences between the two lesions were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Differentiation between FD and OF is only possible after critically analyzing the clinical, radiological and histological criteria

Objective: To determine the range and prevalence of pathological conditions and demonstration of significant anatomical structures in the maxillary sinuses using the cone beam computerized tomographic (CBCT) scan. Methodology: Case series of 60 CBCT scans of the maxillae. Results: Forty (67%) of the scans were of female patients while the rest (20, 33%) were of males. Remarkably, the majority of the scans were requested for those patients who sought dental implant fabrication. Overall, 35 (58%) scans demonstrated pathological features while 8 (13%) demonstrated significant anatomical structures. Pathological features included mucosal thickening in 26 (43%), polypoid lesions in 9 (15%), total antral opacification in 1 (2%) and foreign body in 1 (2%). The commonest anatomic feature was dental root protrusion into the maxillary sinuses in 8 (13%). Conclusion: The CBCT imaging is an important tool for investigating the maxillary sinuses for pathology and the demonstration of the associated anatomic relations.

Background: Dental and cranio-maxillofacial diagnostic imaging constitutes an invaluable tool in the accurate diagnosis and management of a diverse range of conditions and diseases that afflict the oral and cranio-maxillofacial region. In order to improve on any existing facility, periodic audit evaluation is paramount. In this way proper and relevant service delivery can be achieved. Objective: To evaluate the range and volume of dental and cranio-maxillofacial diagnostic radiographic services offered at the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital (UNDH) in Kenya over a 5-year period (2006-2010). Methods: Retro-spective survey involving manual examination of patient records at the Division of Dental and cra-nio-maxillofacial Radiology registry of the UNDH. Results: Over the study period, the range of diagnostic radiographic services offered comprised of both intra- and extra- oral examinations. The total volume of radiographs taken was 48,874 among which 41,980 (86%) were intraoral and 6894 (14%) extraoral views. Among the intraoral views, 74% were bitewing, 25% periapical and only 1% were occlusal diagnostic views. The majority (95%) of the extraoral projections consisted of panoramic views and only 5% constituted other techniques. The volume of radiographs was high from January to September while November and December had the lowest number of examination requests. Conclusion: Intraoral radiography was the commonest examination with bitewings having been the majority while the panoramic tomography was the commonest extraoral examination performed