Pericoronal radiolucencies with significant pathology: clinico-histopathologic evaluation

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Dentistry
• Radiology

Background:

• Pericoronary radiolucencies associated with unerupted teeth can represent various pathologies.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate provisional diagnoses of pericoronary radiolucencies with histopathologic findings.
• To highlight the importance of early detection in diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 18 cases with pericoronary radiolucencies.
• Analysis of clinical, radiological, and histopathologic data over a 1-year period.
• Comparison and correlation of provisional and histopathologic diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Provisional diagnoses included dentigerous cysts (11/18), ameloblastoma, odontogenic keratocyst, adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, and calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst.
• Histopathologic diagnosis correlated with provisional diagnosis in only 10% of cases.
• Significant discrepancies were observed between initial clinical/radiological assessments and definitive histopathologic findings.

Conclusions:

• Dentigerous cysts are the most common, but other pathologies can present as pericoronary radiolucencies.
• Clinicians must thoroughly investigate unerupted teeth and suspected cystic lesions.
• Prompt assessment and management based on histopathologic diagnosis are critical.