A recurrent traumatic bone cyst: report of case

The traumatic bone cyst (TBC) is commonly reported on in the dental and medical literature. The lesion is discovered most often, as an incidental finding during intraoral or panoramic radiographic examination. Conservative treatment in the form of needle aspiration or surgical exploration and curettage is generally considered curative as well as diagnostic for the TBC. Some authors suggest that the TBC is a self-limiting entity, as it is rarely seen in patients older than thirty-five years of age. There are very few reports in the literature documenting recurrent TBCs. The patient reported on had a TBC measuring 1.5 cm. treated by surgical curettage in July 1981. There was no clinical or radiographic follow-up for eight years. When the patient presented for an initial examination in July of 1989, the recurrent lesion increased in size to 7cm x 4cm. Retreatment by surgical curettage established a diagnosis consistent with a TBC, and also produced impressive radiographic healing 3.5 years postoperatively. Because of the ability of the TBC to recur, long clinical and radiographic follow-up is recommended.