The presentation of odontogenic keratocysts in the jaws with an emphasis on the tooth-bearing area: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to gain insight in the actual ratio of odontogenic keratocysts occurring in the tooth-bearing area as compared to the posterior region of the jaws in order to come up with reliable data to base upon a rational treatment policy.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies reporting on the location of mandibular and maxillary odontogenic keratocysts. All records were independently assessed and a meta-analysis was performed. Risk difference with a confidence interval of 95% of having the lesion in the posterior region versus the tooth-bearing area was the effect measure. P value for the summary effect of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The 2615 records retrieved were reduced to 34 studies to be qualitatively/quantitatively assessed. The pooled values showed that the difference in the clinical risk of having keratocysts in the posterior region of the mandible and in the tooth-bearing area of the maxilla is 21 and 43%, respectively (P < 0.02 and P < 0.00001).

Conclusions: A substantial amount of keratocysts occur in the tooth-bearing area of the jaws, requiring attention.