HISTOPATHOLOGIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF THE SIMPLE BONE-CYST

Objective. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation bet ween histopathologic and radiographic findings and to discuss the caus e of the simple bone cyst. Study design. Histopathologically, we class ified 53 simple bone cysts into two types. Type A has a connective tis sue membrane and type B has a partially thickened wall with dysplastic bone formation. Radiographically, we evaluated the following: margin, radiolucency, or radiopacity, relationship with tooth apices, bucco-l ingual bone expansion, and displacement of the mandibular canal. Resul ts. Bone expansion and radiopacity were closely related to histopathol ogic findings although there was no correlation between the histopatho logic findings and radiographic margin, relationship with tooth apices , and displacement of mandibular canal. Local recurrence was more like ly to be observed in patients diagnosed as having type B than type A l esions. Conclusions. Type A and type B bone cysts may have different c auses. Cysts determined radiographically to be radiopaque, those diagn osed as type B histopathologically, and cysts that have been treated s urgically should all be followed by radiographic examinations.