Cystic lesions of the mandible and maxilla--radiological evaluation and differentiation

Cystic lesions of the mandible and maxilla are easily recognizable with various imaging modalities: different conventional X-ray films, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this article, the author defines and classifies the most-encountered kinds of odontogenic and nonodontogenic cysts and presents in each case the various parameters that should be analyzed in order to reach a radiological diagnosis: location of the lesion within the mandible, its relationship to adjacent structures, its shape, etc. Nevertheless, there remain cystic lesions that cannot be differentiated from benign and, occasionally, malignant lesions. In some of these cases, final diagnosis will be reached only after surgical intervention and histopathological examination.