Periapical cysts in dogs: 10 cases (2000-2020)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Comparative Dentistry
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Periapical cysts are inflammatory jaw lesions that can affect dogs.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for differentiating these cysts from other odontogenic tumors and cysts.
• Understanding their clinical, imaging, and histological features aids in effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and histological features of periapical cysts in dogs.
• To describe the treatment outcomes for periapical cysts in canine patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records from client-owned dogs diagnosed with periapical cysts.
• Inclusion criteria focused on dogs with surgical biopsy specimens of cavitary lesions diagnosed as odontogenic cysts.
• Analysis included clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, histological findings, and treatment results.

Main Results:

• Ten dogs were included, aged 2.5-12.1 years, with periapical cysts affecting the incisive bone and/or maxilla.
• Common clinical signs included oral/gingival swelling; one dog presented with dyspnea.
• Cysts originated from non-vital teeth with structural defects (wear/fracture without pulp exposure) or intrinsic staining; surgical extraction and enucleation led to resolution.

Conclusions:

• Periapical cysts in dogs are consistently associated with non-vital teeth, even without obvious pulp exposure.
• Comprehensive evaluation of clinical, imaging, and histological data is essential for accurate diagnosis.
• Surgical management involving tooth extraction and cyst enucleation is an effective treatment strategy.