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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Inducing Apical Periodontitis in Mice
Published on: August 6, 2019
8-year follow-up of central giant cell lesion mimicking apical periodontitis
Artur Aburad de Carvalhosa1, Regina Maria Cristovan Zandonade2, de Souza Castro3
1Department of Oral Sciences, University of Cuiabá, MT, Brazil; Cancer Hospital, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Introduction:
Lesions of nonendodontic origin may mimic apical periodontitis. Central giant cell lesions (CGCLs) are aggressive or nonaggressive benign idiopathic intraosseous lesions of the jaw. This report describes a case of a CGCL in the periapical region of teeth #21-#26 of a 17-year-old female who sought orthodontic care because of a change in the position of tooth #23.
Methods:
Clinical examination revealed mild facial asymmetry caused by increased volume in the mental region and cortical bone expansion but no cortical disruption. A panoramic radiograph showed a well-defined radiolucent osteolytic lesion involving teeth #21-#26. The cortical bone was not affected, and there was no root resorption. Incisional biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis was a CGCL. The lesion was enucleated surgically. CGCLs should be included in the differential diagnosis of jaw lesions that mimic apical periodontitis.
Results:
The patient subsequently underwent orthodontic treatment successfully.
Conclusions:
The 8-year clinical and radiographic follow-up confirmed lesion remission, no recurrence, and pulp vitality of all teeth.
