Radiographic findings and prognosis of simple bone cysts of the jaws

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the possibility of radiographic prediction of the prognosis of simple bone cysts (SBCs) of the jaws. Methods: The relationship between the radiographic findings and treatment outcome (healing or recurrence) was investigated in 31 cases treated in the authors' hospital and 108 published cases. Results: In 17 of our 31 cases, the lesions had radiographic findings of a preserved lamina dura adjacent to the lesion, with a smooth margin, and no or smooth bone expansion, and all of them healed after surgery. In the other 14 cases, there was resorption of the lamina dura, a scalloped margin, nodular bone expansion, root resorption, a sclerotic mass or multiple cavities, and nine cases of recurrence. Although there was incomplete information in the published case studies, similar results were noted. Conclusions: It was concluded that there was a relationship between the radiographic features of the lesions and prognosis. Radiographic examination should be used not only for disco...