A retrospective study on craniofacial fibrous dysplasia: preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase as a prognostic marker?

Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) often requires surgery to correct facial deformity and prevent functional impairment. However, recurrence is common, and there is no reliable prognostic biomarker. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of using preoperative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a prognostic marker for CFD. Forty-nine patients with CFD who underwent surgery from 2000 to 2011 were selected. The relationship between preoperative ALP and age, gender, lesion type and prognosis was investigated. The recurrence rate was 31.8% in patients who received conservative bone contouring. Patients with recurrence did not show significantly higher levels and abnormal rates of ALP than patients without recurrence. Young patients and those with polyostotic CFD showed higher ALP levels than adults and those with monostotic CPD (P < 0.05). Although CFD patients showed higher levels and abnormal rates of ALP than the control group, significant levels were not reached (P > 0.05). No correlation between age, gender, type, ALP and recurrence could be established using the logistic regression model. Preoperative ALP may not be a reliable prognostic marker of CFD based on the findings in this study. Close follow-up is recommended after conservative bone contouring.