title: The small dentigerous cyst. A diagnostic dilemma.
abstract: The dentigerous (follicular) cyst is recognized as one of the most common lesions of the jaws. Clinical, radiographic, histologic, and prognostic characteristics are well established for medium to large pericoronal cysts that are lined by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. However, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between a small dentigerous cyst and a large dental follicle despite the availability of both radiographic and histologic information. Epidemiologic data derived from a comparative study of 1662 dentigerous cysts and 824 dental follicles showed considerable overlap in age distribution and site predilection and were therefore of minimal use in reaching a final diagnosis. At present, it appears that identifying a cystic cavity at the time of surgery may be the only reliable way to arrive at a definitive diagnosis when radiographic and histologic features are insufficient to distinguish between a small dentigerous cyst and a large dental follicle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Western Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution