Odontogenic and non-odondogenic cysts in the jaws: a retrospective analysis

Aims: This study aims to retrospectively analyze the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of jaw cysts and evaluate the implications of these findings for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and the prevention of potential complications. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kırıkkale University Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic between April 2023 and May 2024. A total of 178 patients, histopathologically diagnosed with jaw cysts, were included. Data on demographic factors such as age and gender, as well as clinical and radiological features of the cysts, were collected and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.52±16.56 years, with 56.74% of the cohort being male and 43.25% female. The distribution of lesions was as follows: 53.93% in the mandible, 43.82% in the maxilla, and 2.25% in both jaws. Radiologically, 79.77% of the lesions were radiolucent, while 20.22% exhibited a mixed radiological pattern. Clinically, 86.52% of the lesions were asymptomatic, while 13.48% were symptomatic. The most prevalent cyst types identified were radicular cysts (35.4%), dentigerous cysts (19.1%), and keratocysts (19.1%). Conclusion: A comprehensive analysis of the demographic and radiological characteristics of jaw cysts plays a pivotal role in achieving precise diagnoses and devising effective treatment strategies. The present study shows that radicular cysts are the most common type, which is consistent with previous studies. However, the findings indicate a lower prevalence of radicular cysts compared to other studies focusing on cystic lesions. Moreover, this study reports higher prevalence rates for dentigerous cysts and keratocysts compared to certain other studies. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for individual and population-based variability when diagnosing and managing jaw cysts.