CLINICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BIOPSIED ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN SANA’A, YEMEN

Background and aims: The term "oral and maxillofacial pathology" describes conditions affecting the mandible, maxillae, salivary glands, temporomandibular joints, facial muscles, and perioral skin. Because there is a dearth of epidemiological data on oral and maxillofacial lesions (OMFLs) in Yemen, the current study aims to determine the relative incidence of these lesions in Sana'a city, as well as their correlation with age and gender. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on documented records of all patients with OMLs in targeted multi-centers in Sana'a city for 2 years from November 2022 to November 2024. Patient clinical and pathological data, for instance anatomical location, age, gender, and histopathological diagnosis, were recorded and then analyzed. Results: The sample size was 398 histopathological records of OMFLs, 55.4% of the sample was male and 44.7% were female. The tongue was the site most commonly affected by malignant lesions (49.6%), and the maxilla and mandible were the sites most commonly affected by benign lesions (22.9% and 29.96%). The maxilla and mandible are the most affected sites for cystic lesions (65% and 33.3%). The study found a significant association between male patients and malignant lesions, while female patients were associated with benign and reactive lesions; the odds ratios for these associations were 1.98, 1.7, and 3.8, respectively. Conclusions: Non-malignant lesions were more prevalent than malignant lesions, and dental and medical care providers should give greater importance to pre-malignant and malignant lesions and chronic traumatic ulcers because these lesions are at risk of developing into malignant lesions, through education and awareness of oral health promotion and early detection and treatment of these lesions. The tongue is the site most affected by malignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion. Peer Review History: Received 5 December 2024; Reviewed 9 January 2025; Accepted 20 February; Available online 15 March 2025 Academic Editor: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, [email protected]