title: Traumatic bone cyst: a retrospective study of 21 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical and radiological characteristics, and surgical findings of traumatic bone cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational study was made of 21 traumatic bone cysts. The diagnosis was based on the anamnesis, clinical exploration, and complementary tests. Panoramic and periapical X-rays were obtained in all cases, together with computed tomography as decided by the surgeon. A descriptive statistical analysis was made of the study variables using the SPSS v12.0 for Windows.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a clear female predominance (14:7). The mean age was 26.5 years (range 8-45 years). The cysts in all cases constituted casual findings during routine radiological exploration. In those cases where computed tomographic images were available, preservation of the vestibular and lingual cortical layers was observed. Five of the 21 patients (23.8%) reported a clear antecedent of traumatism in the affected zone. All the lesions were subjected to surgery, and the cavities were found to be vacant in 90.5% of the cases. In only two patients were vascular contents seen within the cavity. Two of the patients presented postoperative paresthesia of the inferior dental nerve that subsided within two weeks. The 19 patients in whom adequate postoperative follow-up proved possible all showed complete bone healing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Traumatic bone cysts were a casual finding. During the surgery, most cases showed to be vacant cavity without an ephitelial lining. Careful curettage of the lesion favors progressive bone regeneration, offering a good prognosis and an almost negligible relapse rate. Other treatment options only would be justified in cases of relapse.
authors.affiliation: Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, University of Barcelona Dental School, Spain.
authors.forename: Isidoro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cortell-Ballester
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berini-Aytés
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gay-Escoda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008338:Mandibular Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult