The relationship between clinical diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis in oral and maxillofacial lesions: a retrospective study of 200 cases

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics and histopathological distribution of lesions in biopsy samples taken from the oral and maxillofacial regions, and to investigate the relationship between clinical preliminary diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis. Methods: In this retrospective study, data from 200 patients who underwent biopsy at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Adıyaman University, between 1 June 2025 and 15 February 2026 were analysed. Age, gender, clinical preliminary diagnosis, and histopathological diagnosis were recorded. Histopathological diagnoses were grouped into cystic, inflammatory, and reactive lesions. Concordance between clinical preliminary and histopathological diagnoses was assessed using descriptive statistics and, where appropriate, the Chi-square test.Results: The mean age was 34.8±16.5 years; 59% of patients were female. Radicular cyst was the most common clinical preliminary diagnosis (n=134), whereas granulation tissue (n=76) and radicular cyst (n=64) were the most frequent histopathological diagnoses. The overall concordance rate between clinical preliminary and histopathological diagnoses was 58% (κ=0.32), indicating fair agreement. Many lesions clinically diagnosed as radicular cysts were histopathologically identified as granulation tissue. Cystic and inflammatory lesions constituted the majority, and no significant association was found between demographic variables and lesion types (p>0.05). Conclusion: Significant discrepancies may exist between clinical and histopathological diagnoses. Histopathological examination is indispensable for definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.