Cystic lesions of mandible are common clinical problem in oral surgeon practice. Usually they are benign lesions such as odontogenic cyst or periapical granulomas but very similar radiological morphology may deal with aggressive tumors such as ameloblastoma, myxoma or calcifying epidermoid odontogenic tumor (CEOT). Establishment of correct preliminary diagnosis can help the surgeon avoid performing extensive surgery or conduct radical, extensive resection to provide good results of treatment and to prevent recurrences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of plain radiographs in preliminary cystic bone radiolucent diagnosis.
Material and method: 127 radiographs were considered and evaluated accord to Lodwick classification as benign lesions. Due to clinical examination the preliminary diagnosis were mandibular odontogenic cyst. Preliminary diagnosis was compared with histopathological findings.
Results: 127 patients (70 male and 57 female aged from 6 to 82 years) were diagnosed and treated. In 113 cases (88.97%) preliminary diagnosis was the same with histopathological findings. Misdiagnosed lesions were e.g. CEOT, ameloblastoma or fibroma osyficans.
Conclusions: (1) The plane radiograph evaluation is very important and valuable method of preliminary diagnosis of mandibular cystic lesions but still crucial role in diagnosis is histopathological evaluations of surgical material. (2) Method of surgical treatment should be always conducted according to microscopic diagnosis.