CYST-LIKE LESION OF A DEVELOPING TOOTH INDUCED BY MANDIBULAR FRACTURE

A dentigerous cyst-like formation in the lower canine region caused by mandibular fracture in a 10-year-old boy is reported. His medical his tory revealed that he had been unconscious for about 2 weeks after tra umatic head injuries sustained in a traffic accident, and a complicate d mandibular fracture had been left untreated until his dentist diagno sed the lesion. Eleven months after trauma, a dentigerous cyst measuri ng 20 mm in diameter was found in the fracture area. The lesion was en ucleated and the boy's postoperative recovery was uneventful. The mass completely enveloped the developing canine, and epithelial cells prol iferated into the connective tissue. However, there was no distinct ep ithelial lining. Small round cell infiltrations and several vessels wi th thrombosis were noted in the cyst wall. The cause of cyst formation was considered to be infection of the canine tooth bud and the surrou nding soft tissue.