title: Lateral periodontal cysts arising in periapical sites: a report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lateral periodontal cyst is an uncommon odontogenic developmental lesion and chiefly arises in the alveolar bone between the roots of a pair of erupted teeth or lateral to a tooth root. Two atypical cases of the lateral periodontal cyst occurring in periapical sites are reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both lesions presented as an incidental radiographic finding, appearing as an apical radiolucency with well-circumscribed sclerotic borders. One lesion, initially suspected to be of pulpal origin, persisted after endodontic therapy; the other case was first considered to be an odontogenic keratocyst. A biopsy was performed on each patient for lesional identity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histopathologic assessment of each lesion was consistent with a lateral periodontal cyst and revealed thin, nonkeratinized epithelial linings containing nodular plaques and clear cells. The cyst walls were thickened and had minimal inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The featured cases show that the lateral periodontal cyst is not always confined to the interradicular region and can masquerade as a lesion of endodontic origin. Aberrant cases warrant long-term surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Nikitakis
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melakopoulos
authors.forename: Rania H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Younis
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Scheper
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.forename: Hussain
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Mubarak
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sklavounou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010509:Periodontal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography