Characterization of oral and maxillofacial lesions that may exhibit giant cells: a retrospective study in a Brazilian population over 53 years.

BACKGROUND

Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) can be involved in pathological processes in the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral and maxillofacial lesions that may show giant cells (OMLGC) exhibit diverse clinical characteristics and etiopathogenesis. This retrospective study analyzed the occurrence and clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with OMLGCs.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Clinicopathological information was collected from biopsy records and histopathological reports of patients diagnosed with OMLGCs in a Brazilian Oral Pathology Service (1970-2023).

RESULTS

Four hundred forty-one cases of OMLGCs were diagnosed. Of these, 59.4% (n = 262) were female, with a mean age of 31.2 ± 18.7 years. The peripheral giant cell granuloma was the most common in soft tissue (n = 169). Soft tissue OMLGCs affected the mandible's posterior gingiva/alveolar ridge (24.4%). In hard tissue, the most frequent lesion was the central giant cell granuloma (n = 104), and the posterior region of the mandible (42.2%) and maxilla (20.8%) were the most affected. Regarding the radiographic appearance, most cases were described as radiolucent (61.3%), well-defined (85.7%), and multilocular (60%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study's findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological, clinical, and radiographic profile of OMLGCs, aiding in the differential diagnosis and management of these lesions in clinical practice.