Fibrous Dysplasia: A Retrospective Review of Histologically Diagnosed Cases in a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Nigeria

Aims: This study aims to document the age, sex and site distribution of fibrous dysplasia in our tertiary health care facility in order to compare our findings with published literature.

Study Design: This is a hospital-based retrospective and descriptive study extending from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2019.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Histopathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State in North-Central Nigeria between 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2019.

Materials and Methods: Materials consisted of Archival slides, paraffin wax tissue blocks, surgical pathology register and case files of all cases of fibrous dysplasia diagnosed histologically during the period of review. The age, sex and site affected by the tumour were documented for each case using both electronic and hard copy records. The histology slides were examined to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 165 primary bone tumours (103 benign and 63 malignant) were recorded during the period of review, of which 28 were fibrous dysplasia.

Results: There were 28 cases of fibrous dysplasia which represented 17% of the primary bone tumours and 27% of the benign bone tumours. A half (50%) of the cases occurred in the second decade and 82.1% of cases were diagnosed in craniofacial bones. There was no sex bias in diagnosis.

Conclusion: Fibrous dysplasia is a relatively common bone tumour in our environment. The sex distribution, age at diagnosis, and bones affected is in keeping with findings by authors from other parts of the world.