Correlation of radiographic size and the presence of radiopaque lamina with histological findings in 70 periapical lesions.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to relate the histological diagnosis of chronic inflammatory periapical lesions with the radiographic images of these lesions.


METHODS
A total of 70 biopsy specimens obtained during periapical surgery were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a microscope. Histological analysis established the diagnosis as granuloma, cyst, or scar tissue. The location of the lesion was recorded, as were the radiographic size (maximum and minimum diameter in mm and area in mm(2)) and the presence of radiopaque lamina around the lesion, using an image analyzing system.


RESULTS
The distribution of the biopsy specimens was 65.7% granulomas, 25.7% scar tissue, and 8.6% cysts, 1 of which was a keratocyst. The largest lesions were cysts and epithelialized granulomas, with statistically significant differences. Radiopaque lamina was observed around 9 lesions; of these, only 2 were histologically diagnosed as cysts, with the rest as granulomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the apical lesions were granulomas. Cysts had the largest radiotransparent images; however, in the 70 cases studied, neither the radiographic size nor the presence of associated radiopaque lamina alone was sufficient to determine the type of lesion. Histological analysis is required.
Carrillo
Celia
C
Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
Penarrocha
Miguel
M
Ortega
Bárbara
B
Martí
Eva
E
Bagán
José Vicente
JV
Vera
Francisco
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010486:Periapical Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic