Intraosseous cystic lesions of the jaws in children: a retrospective analysis of 47 consecutive cases.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to review the characteristics and treatment approach in 47 cases of intraosseous cystic lesions of the jaws in children.


METHODS
Forty-three patients, 2-14 years old, with 47 cystic lesions of the jaws, were treated during the period 2000-2007. All cysts were surgically removed. No bone grafts were used and the teeth involved were preserved whenever possible. Removed tissues were examined histologically. Follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 7 years.


RESULTS
In 74.5% of the cases, cysts were enucleated, and in 17.0% they were marsupialized. Most commonly, the cysts were dentigerous (20, 42.6%), followed by eruption cysts, odontogenic keratocysts, and radicular cysts (10.6% each) and buccal bifurcation cysts (8.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
Cystic lesions in children were found to be mainly of developmental origin. Treatment was surgical removal without interfering, when possible, with the development of the dentition. Surgical approach was usually enucleation and, to a lesser extent, marsupialization.
Iatrou
Ioannis
I
University Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Children's Hospital P. and A. Kyriakou, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. iiatrou@dent.uoa.gr
Theologie-Lygidakis
Nadia
N
Leventis
Minas
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies