title: Volume reduction of cystic lesions after surgical decompression: a computerised three-dimensional computed tomographic evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate the three-dimensional radiographic variation in mandibular odontogenic cystic lesions after decompression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-decompression computed tomography (CT) evaluations in 20 patients affected by keratocysts (n = 10), dentigerous cysts (n = 9) and ameloblastoma (n = 1) were analysed using software designed for three-dimensional measurement of volumes; the results were correlated with treatment duration, age, sex and histological type.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (range) decompression time was 5.70 (3-12) months. The mean (SD) pre- and post-decompression volumes were 9.50 (7.74) and 4.65 (4.34) cm(3), respectively (P < 0.001), with a mean (SD) reduction of 49.86 % (19.34 %). The volume reduction was positively correlated with the duration of decompression (P < 0.001), whereas no correlations with other variables were found (P = 0.2357). The median monthly reduction in cyst volume was 11.34 % (mean, 13.52 %; range, 4.45-30.43 %) (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This three-dimensional CT investigation demonstrated the effectiveness of decompression in the treatment of mandibular odontogenic cystic lesions and showed a positive correlation between the duration of treatment and volume reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decompression treatment, which is simple to perform and generally well-accepted by patients, is a reliable method to considerably reduce the volume of mandibular odontogenic cystic lesions before surgical removal. Extended decompression time seems to improve results of the reduction process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via San Vitale 59, 40125, Bologna, Italy. giuseppelizio@libero.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lizio
authors.forename: Anna Freni
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sterrantino
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ragazzini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D061646:Operative Time; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome