Pediatric Oral Biopsies in Thailand: A 15-year Retrospective Review from a Medical Teaching Hospital

Background: Reports on the spectrum of oral pathology in children are almost totally based on biopsies submitted to dental facilities. Specimens submitted to pathology laboratories in medical institutions could show a different spectrum of disease, including entities under-represented in dental studies.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of oral lesions in children sent to pathology service in the medical teaching hospital.

Methods: Oral biopsy records from pediatric patients (12 years. Lesions were categorized as inflammatory/reactive, tumor/tumor-like and cystic lesions.

Results: Of a total of 3,887 cases, 230 biopsies (6%) were found. Most lesions were in the inflammatory/reactive group (n=128; 56%), followed by tumor/tumor-like (n=95; 41%) and cystic lesions (n=7; 3%). Most cases occurred in the >12 year age group. Mucocele was the most common lesion (n=87; 38%), followed by hemangioma (n=19; 8.3%) and nevus (n=13; 5.7%). Lip was the most common location. The predominance of mucocele is similar to reports from various countries, indicating prevalence is not affected by geographic differences. The proportion of malignant tumours (4.8%) was higher compared to most studies (<1-2%). In contrast, odontogenic cysts and odontogenic tumours were rare (2.8% and <1%, respectively), compared to published studies (7-35% and 2-21%, respectively).

Conclusion: This study from a medical institution shows a somewhat different spectrum of pediatric oral biopsies compared to dental institutions, which could reflect institutional staffing, practice patterns and the type of facility in which specific lesions are managed.