ABSTRACT
Cysts are common and clinically diverse lesions of the oral/head and neck region that must be considered when examining and creating a differential diagnosis of an expansile process of the jaws, face or neck. The characteristic clinical presentation, radiographic appearance and history of these lesions result in the formation of a focused differential diagnosis that leads to proper and expedient surgical treatment. Most of these cysts, in fact, may be surgically excised with curative intent without first performing an incisional biopsy. Under such circumstances, the pathologic diagnosis is definitively established following complete excision. A multilocular radiolucent lesion of the jaws ought to be incisionally biopsied in order to establish a microscopic diagnosis prior to rendering definitive treatment. Despite controversies in nomenclature, the kerato-cystic odontogenic tumour and the odontogenic keratocyst are managed identically and independently of nomenclature. Large, clinically diagnosed dentigerous cysts should be pathologically processed to rule out the presence of a unicystic ameloblastoma.
