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Lateral periodontal cysts arising in periapical sites: a report of two cases
Nikolaos G Nikitakis1, John K Brooks, Ioannis Melakopoulos
1Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Introduction:
The lateral periodontal cyst is an uncommon odontogenic developmental lesion and chiefly arises in the alveolar bone between the roots of a pair of erupted teeth or lateral to a tooth root. Two atypical cases of the lateral periodontal cyst occurring in periapical sites are reported.
Methods:
Both lesions presented as an incidental radiographic finding, appearing as an apical radiolucency with well-circumscribed sclerotic borders. One lesion, initially suspected to be of pulpal origin, persisted after endodontic therapy; the other case was first considered to be an odontogenic keratocyst. A biopsy was performed on each patient for lesional identity.
Results:
Histopathologic assessment of each lesion was consistent with a lateral periodontal cyst and revealed thin, nonkeratinized epithelial linings containing nodular plaques and clear cells. The cyst walls were thickened and had minimal inflammation.
Conclusions:
The featured cases show that the lateral periodontal cyst is not always confined to the interradicular region and can masquerade as a lesion of endodontic origin. Aberrant cases warrant long-term surveillance.
