cysts of the jaws Flashcards
What is a cyst?
A pathological cavity having fluid, semi-fluid or gaseous contents and which is not created by the accumulation of pus
What are the symptoms of cysts?
Mobility of teeth
Loss of tooth vitality
Numbness/altered sensation
Usually slow growing
Noise when pressing like an ‘egg shell crackling
Often asymptomatic unless infected
What initial radiographs can be taken for cysts?
Periapical
Occlusal
Panoramic
What supplemental radiographs can be used for cysts?
CBCT
Facial radiographs:
- PA mandible view
- Occipitomental view
What are the radiographic features of cysts to look out for?
Location
Shape - often spherical or egg-shaped
Margins - often well defined and corticated
Locularity - often unilocular, can be multi or pseudo
Multiplicity - single, bilateral, multiple
Effect on surrounding anatomy - displacement of teeth, inferior alveolar canal, maxillary sinus, root resorption
Inclusion of unerupted teeth
How may cysts present radiographically if infected?
Cysts may lose definition and cortication of margins if secondarily infected
How are cysts classified?
Structure - epithelium lined vs no epithelial lining
Origin - odontogenic vs non-odontogenic
Pathogenesis - developmental vs inflammatory
What are the different types of odontogenic cysts?
Developmental or inflammatory
Name 3 types of odontogenic developmental cysts
Dentigerous cyst (and eruption cyst)
Odontogenic keratocyst
Lateral periodontal cyst
Give 3 examples of odontogenic inflammatory cysts
Radicular cyst (and residual cyst)
Inflammatory collateral cysts:
- paradental cyst
- buccal bifurcation cyst
What are the different types of non-odontogenic cysts?
Developmental cysts
Other
What is the most common non-odontogenic developmental cyst?
Nasopalatine duct cyst
Name 2 non-odontogenic other cysts and what they have in common
Solitary bone cyst
Aneurysmal bone cyst
Neither of these have an epithelium lining
Where do odontogenic cysts occur?
In tooth-bearing areas
Describe the incidence of odontogenic cysts
Most common cause of bony swelling in the jaws
>90% of all cysts in the oral and maxillofacial region
2nd ost common group of oral and maxillofacial lesions in adults - 14-15%
What are the 3 odontogenic sources of epithelium?
Rests of Malassex - remnants of Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath
Rests of Serres - remnants of the dental lamina
Reduced enamel epithelium - remnants of the enamel organ
What are the 3 most common odontogenic cysts and how common are they?
Radicular cyst (and residual cyst) - 60%
Dentigerous cyst (and eruption cyst) - 18%
Odontogenic keratocyst - 12%
What is a radicular cyst?
An inflammatory odontogenic cyst
Always associated with a non-vital tooth
Initiated by chronic inflammation at apex of tooth due to pulp necrosis
Describe the incidence of radicular cysts
Most common in 4th and 5th decade
Male and female prevalence the same
60% maxilla, 40% mandible
Can involve any tooth
How do radicular cysts present?
Often asymptomatic - may become infected and then painful
How can you differentiate between radicular cysts and periapical granulomas?
Difficult radiographically - radicular cysts usually larger
If radiolucency diameter >15mm then 2/3 of these cases will be radicular cysts
How can pulpal necrosis lead to radicular cyst formation?
Pulpal necrosis will lead to periapical periodontitis which can cause a periapical granuloma and lead to radicular cyst formation
What are the radiographic features of radicular cysts?
Well-defined
Round/oval radiolucency
Corticated margins continuous with lamina dura of non-vital tooth
Larger lesions may displace adjacent structures
Long-standing lesions may cause external root resorption and/or contain dystrophic calcification
Describe the histological findings of radicular cysts
Epithelial lining which is often incomplete
Connective tissue capsule with inflammation in the capsule