THE EVALUATION OF 41 PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHIC CASES OF DENTIGEROUS CYSTS AND ODONTOGENICKERATOCYSTS

Introduction: Dentigerous cyst (DC) is the most common pathologic pericoronal radiolucency and the odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) radiographic features appear as unilocular, multilocular or pericoronal radiolucency. Since OKC is very invasive and has a high recurrence rate and its radiographic features are like dentigerous cyst and bone important lesions such as amelobastoma and mural ameloblastoma, it seems necessary to recognize radiographic features of these two cysts.The aim of this study was to compare panoramic radiographic findings in DC and OKC. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive (case series) study, 41 panoramic radiographs of 26 patients with DC and 15 patients with OKC, were evaluated by one maxillofacial radiologist as an observer.The radiographic information included persent pericoronal radiolucency , unilocular or multilocular radiolucency, smooth or scalloped periphery, impacted tooth, size and area of cyst, age and sex. Finally, the data were analyzed using Chi-square and T tests statistically. Results: one case of DC had multiolocular radiolucency, 4 cases of OKC had unilocular pericoronal, 2 cases had multilocular pericoronal, 2 cases had unilocular non-pericoronal radiolucency and 7 cases had non-pericoronal multilocular radiolucency. A significant relationship was detected among the mean age of patients, and mean area of cysts (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the present study, DC was more common in maxillary canine appearing mainly as a pericoronal unilocular pattern, while OKC was more common in mandible appearing mainly as a multilocular pattern. Key words: Panoramic radiography, dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst.