title: Decompression for management of keratocystic odontogenic tumor in the mandible.
abstract: Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign intraosseous neoplasm of odontogenic origin with high recurrence rate. To date, various conservative or aggressive management strategies have been suggested as a method of treatment. Decompression is a conservative method that has been used in the treatment of large odontogenic cysts. The present paper reports a case of KCOT located in the mandible and discusses the importance of its management using conservative methods. The authors present a case of a 38-year-old patient with a KCOT located in the right mandibular angle and ascending ramus, which was treated by decompression followed by enucleation and curettage. The lesion did not recur during a follow-up period of 3 years after surgery. Preserving important structures of the bone and soft tissue decompression is a method with low morbidity. In addition, according to the literature, decompression has a success rate at least as high as the one of most aggressive treatments.
authors.affiliation: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Lavras Dental School, University Center of Lavras/UNILAVRAS, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. wmoraismelo@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Willian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Morais de Melo
authors.forename: Darklilson
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pereira-Santos
authors.forename: Celso Koogi
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sonoda
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hochuli-Vieira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003475:Curettage; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps