Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour: review of the literature and an analysis of 33 cases from South Africa

The adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) is a benign lesion of odontogenic origin. It is a slow growing tumour that results in a painless expansion of the jaws. This is a retrospective review of the demographic, clinical and radiographic features of AOTs diagnosed in a black South African population over 20 years. Of the 746 odontogenic tumours diagnosed, 4% were AOTs. The patients’ ages ranged from 9 to 37 years with a mean age of 15 years. The highest incidence was in the second decade of life (85%). The female to male ratio was 5.6:1. The maxilla was more commonly affected than the mandible in a ratio of 1.5:1. The sizes of the lesions ranged from 2 to 7cm, with 60% involving an entire quadrant. All were of the central follicular type and appeared as well-demarcated radiolucent lesions. The canine was the most common impacted tooth. The treatment of choice was enucleation of the lesion, with no recurrences being reported.