Conservative management approach of a large maxillary odontogenic keratocyst: a case report

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is one of the most aggressive odontogenic cysts, primarily due to its high recurrence rate and potential for local tissue invasion. Originating from remnants of embryonic dental tissues, OKCs are mainly located in the jaw and often remain asymptomatic for extended periods, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. The optimal management of OKCs remains a subject of ongoing debate, with no universally accepted treatment protocol. In this report, we present a case of a 43 years old female patient with no significant medical history that presented with a large OKC in the maxilla diagnosed through clinical, radiological, and histological aspects. The lesion was managed with two-step approach consisting of decompression followed by enucleation. The patient was monitored over an 18-month period, with CBCT evaluations conducted at 6 and 18 months, showing no signs of recurrence. This case highlights the benefits of the two-step procedure in the management of OKCs.