Cysts Flashcards
Define a cyst (4)
- A pathologic cavity filled with fluid
- Lined by epithelium
- Surrounded by a connective tissue wall
- Fluid is secreted by cells lining the cavity
Define a cystlike lesion
A pathologic cavity filled with fluid but lacking an epithelium
3 classes of cysts
- Odontogenic cysts
- Nonodontogenic cysts (developmental cysts)
- Cystlike lesions
2 classes of odontogenic cysts
- Inflammatory cysts
- Developmental cysts
Describe the mechanism of cyst enlargement
4 clinical symptoms of cysts
- Swelling
- Lack of pain
- Frequent association with teeth
- Sometimes cyst becomes infected –> painful
Where are cysts located (5)
- Within bone
- Any location in the maxilla or mandible
- Odontogenic cysts most often in tooth-bearing region
- In mandibule –> above mandibular canal
- In maxilla –> may grow into the maxillary sinus
Describe the periphery and shape of cysts (3)
- Well-defined periphery with a thin, radiopaque line
- Sometimes, secondary infection can change this aspect into more sclerotic (thicker) boundary)
- Usually round or oval shape
Describe the internal structure of cysts (3)
- Radiolucent
- Long-standing cysts have calcifications
- Some cysts have septa which produce multiple loculations
5 effects of cysts on surrounding structures
- Tooth displacement
- Tooth resorption
- Bone expansion
- Displacement of the mandibular canal
- Cyst may invaginate into the maxillary sinus
Define a radicular cyst
A cyst that most likely results when rests of epithelial cells in the periodontal ligament are stimulated to proliferate and undergo cystic degeneration by inflammatory products from a nonvital tooth
2 types of inflammatory cysts
- Radicular cysts
- Residual cysts
5 clinical features of radicular cysts
- Most frequent cysts of the jaws
- Arise from nonvital teeth
- Asymptomatic unless secondary infection occurs
- Swelling (large cysts)
- Incidence of radicular cysts is greater between 30 - 60 years
4 radiographic features of radicular cysts
- Located at the apex of a nonvital tooth
- Well-defined cortical border
- Round shape
- Radiolucent
4 effects of radicular cysts on surrounding structures
- Displacement and root resorption of the adjacent teeth
- Cortical expansion
- Invagination into the maxillary sinus
- Displacement of the mandibular canal
4 differential diagnoses of radicular cyst
- Apical granuloma
- Early stage of periapical cemental dysplasia
- Central giant cell granuloma
- Malignant tumor (metastasis)
How to differentiate a radicular cyst from an apical granuloma
- A small radicular cyst may be impossible to differentiate from an apical granuloma
- Well-defined cortical border, size greater than 1 cm are more characteristic of a cyst
How to differentiate early stage of periapical cemental dysplasia from radicular cysts
- Around vital teeth
- Anterior teeth of the mandible
- Black women more prevalent
Define lateral radicular cyst
A radicular cyst originating from an accessory root canal (existence of a lateral root canal)
Differential diagnosis for lateral radicular cyst
Lateral periodontal cyst
Define residual cyst
A cyst that remains after incomplete removal of the original cyst. A radicular cyst or granuloma left after extraction of a tooth.
4 clniical features of residual cysts
- Asymptomatic
- Often discovered on radiographic examination of edentulous area
- Bone expansion
- Pain in the case of secondary infection
6 radiographic features of residual cysts
- Oval or circular shape
- Well-defined border
- Cortical or sclerotic border (if it become secondarily infected)
- Radiolucent
- Cortical expansion
- Tooth displacement or resorption
2 differential diagnoses for residual cysts
- Other solitary cysts (odontogenic keratocyst; slight cortical expansion)
- Stafne bone defect (below the mandibular canal)
5 types of developmental odontogenic cysts
- Dentigerous cyst
- Odontogenic keratocyst
- Lateral periodontal cyst
- Calcifying odontogenic cyst (Gorlin cyst)
- Glandular odontogenic cyst
Define dentigerous cyst
A cyst that forms around an unerupted crown, which begins when fluid accumulates between the epithelium and the crown of an unerupted tooth. Attached at the cementoenamel junction.
Most common cyst of development
Dentigerous cyst
Age group most commonly affected by dentigerous cyst
20 - 30 years
Most frequent locations of dentigerous cysts (4)
- Mandibular third molar
- Upper canine
- Maxillary third molar
- Lower premolar
5 clinical symptoms/findings of dentigerous cysts
- Missing tooth
- Hard swelling
- Facial asymmetry
- No pain
- Sometimes developping around supernumary tooth (mesiodens)
Radiographic location of dentigerous cysts
- Epicenter is found just above the crown
- Cyst attaches at the CEJ
Internal aspect of dentigerous cyst
Radiolucent
Periphery and shape of dentigerous cyst
Well-defined border
Curved outline
4 effects on surrounding structures by dentigerous cysts
- Tooth displacement (apical direction)
- Tooth resorption
- Expansion of the outer cortical boundary
- Displacement of the mandibular canal in an inferior direction
5 differential diagnoses for dentigerous cysts
- Hyperplastic follicle (vs. small dentigerous cyst)
- Odontogenic keratocyst
- Cystic ameloblastoma
- Ameloblastic fibroma
- Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor
How to differentiate between small dentigeorus cyst and hyperplastic follicle
- Size of normal follicular space = 2 - 3 mm
- When follicular space exceeds 5 mm –> dentigerous cyst
3 ways to differentiate odontogenic keratocyst from dentigerous cyst
- OK does not expand bone to the same degree
- OK is less likely to resorb teeth
- OK is not attached to the CEJ
3 ways to differentiate cystic ameloblastoma from dentigerous cyst
- CA presents curved bony septa creating internal compartments
- CA is less homogenous
- CA is not attached to the cementoenamel junction