title: Floating retained root lesion mimicking apical periodontitis.
abstract: A case of a retained root tip simulating apical periodontitis on radiographic examination is described. The retained root tip, originating from the left lower first molar, floated under the left lower second premolar apical region mimicking apical periodontitis. It appeared as an ill-defined periapical radiolucency containing a smaller radiodense mass on radiograph. The differential diagnosis included focal sclerosing osteomyelitis (condensing osteitis) and ossifying fibroma. Upon exicisional biopsy, a retained root associated with granulation tissue was found. After 1-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and the periradicular lesion was healing. Meanwhile, the associated tooth showed a normal response to stimulation testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Pang
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Chih-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Shing
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018214:Fibroma, Ossifying / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000473:pathology