Characteristics and Management of Pediatric Benign Intraosseous Mandibular Tumors: A 10-Years Prospective Study.

Background: The management of intraosseous mandibular tumors in children is challenging. This study investigated clinical and pathological characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcome of pediatric benign intraosseous mandibular tumors.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study included patients under 18 years presenting with benign intraosseous mandibular tumors that were surgically managed. Clinical and surgical data were collected and statistically analyzed.

Results: The study included 84 patients (38 males and 46 females): 66.7% had non-odontogenic tumors and 33.3% had odontogenic tumors. The most common non-odontogenic tumors were central giant cell granulomas (31%). The most common odontogenic tumors were odontomas (9.5%). Conservative surgery and radical resection were performed equally. Curettage was the commonest treatment modality (27.4%). Fifty percentage of cases required reconstruction, which was done by costochondral rib graft (42.9%) and free fibula flap (7.1%). One patient had recurrence. All cases got good functional and aesthetic results.

Conclusion: Non-odontogenic tumors were more common than odontogenic tumors. Central giant cell granulomas were the most common non-odontogenic tumors, while odontomas were the most common odontogenic tumors. Treatment depended on type, size, and aggressiveness. Pediatric mandibular reconstruction with costochondral rib grafts was simple and satisfactory. Microsurgical reconstruction had high success rates. Appropriate management achieved good aesthetic and functional outcomes.