Critical evaluation of the radiological and clinical features of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical features of adenomatoid odontogenic tumours (AOTs). Methods: A total of 272 cases (267 from the English-language literature and 5 new cases) were analysed with special emphasis on their radiological features. Results: The patients' ages at time of diagnosis ranged from 3 years to 82 years (mean 18.4 years). The maxilla-to-mandible ratio was 1.7:1. Mandibular lesions were significantly more frequent among patients older than 16 years (p=.032). Expansion of the cortex was significantly more prominent among patients older than 16 years (p=.045). There was a positive correlation between the size of the lesion and the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis (p=.016). The size was also associated with increased root resorption (p<0.001), ill-defined borders (p<0.001), expansion (p<0.001) and perforation of the cortex (p<0.001). Small opacities were present in 77% of lesions and were associated with expansion of the cortex (p50.043). The significant radiological features in patients aged 30 years and above were root resorption (p=.013) and lesions crossing the midline (p=.019). Conclusions: The size of an AOT is influenced by the patient's age. It is also associated with root resorption, ill-defined borders, expansion and perforation of the cortex, but it cannot be ruled out that those changes reflect a longer duration of the lesion. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2012) 41, 533-540.