Odontogenic Keratocyst in the Anterior Maxilla
A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61872/sdj-2026-01-06PMID:
41810690Keywords:
Jaw cysts, Keratocyst , Odontogenic cystsAbstract
The odontogenic keratocyst is considered a developmental jaw cyst reclassified by the WHO in 2017 as a benign odontogenic cyst rather than a neoplasia. They account for about 10–20 % of all odontogenic cysts and are often asymptomatic, frequently discovered incidentally on radiographs. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation. Standard treatment is complete surgical enucleation. Odontogenic keratocysts are locally aggressive and associated with relatively high recurrence rates, making long-term clinical and radiological follow-up essential. This case report presents the diagnosis and management of an odontogenic keratocyst in the anterior maxilla, emphasizing current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as well as the importance of ongoing monitoring.
References
1. Sarradin V, Siegfried A, Uro-Coste E, et al. [WHO classification of head and neck tumours 2017: Main novelties and update of diagnostic methods]. Bull Cancer [Internet]. 2018;105(6):596–602. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29759330.
2. Barnes L, Eveson J, Reichart P, et al. Pathology and Genetics of Head and Neck Tumours [Internet]. World Health Organization classification of tumours [9]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005. Available from: http://impprimo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/openurl/44IMP/44IMP_services_page?u.ignore_date_coverage=true&rft.mms_id=999487350001591.
3. Johnson NR, Gannon OM, Savage NW, et al. Frequency of odontogenic cysts and tumors: a systematic review. J Investig Clin Dent [Internet]. 20130614th ed. 2014;5(1):9–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23766099.
4. Odell EW. Cawson’s Essentials of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine-E-Book: Cawson’s Essentials of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2024.
5. Myoung H, Hong SP, Hong SD, et al. Odontogenic keratocyst: Review of 256 cases for recurrence and clinicopathologic parameters. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod [Internet]. 2001;91(3):328–33. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11250631.
6. Woolgar JA, Rippin JW, Taylor M, et al. The basal cell naevus syndrome. Br J Hosp Med [Internet]. 1987;38(4):344–6, 350. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3676560.
7. Gorlin RJ. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Dermatol Clin [Internet]. 1995;13(1):113–25. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7712637.
8. Alves DBM, Tuji FM, Alves FA, et al. Evaluation of mandibular odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma by panoramic radiograph and computed tomography. Den-tomaxillofac Radiol [Internet]. 20180605th ed. 2018;47(7):20170288. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29791200.
9. Boffano P, Pau A, Dosio C, et al. Quality of life following maxillofacial trauma in the elderly: a multicenter, prospective study. Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 20210909th ed. 2022;26(3):383–92. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34499265.
10. Al-Moraissi EA, Dahan AA, Alwadeai MS, et al. What surgical treatment has the low-est recur-rence rate following the management of keratocystic odontogenic tumor?: A large sys-tematic review and meta-analysis. J Cranioma-xillofac Surg [Internet]. 20161031st ed. 2017;45(1):131–44. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27955959.
11. Chrcanovic BR, Gomez RS. Recurrence probabi-lity for keratocystic odontogenic tu-mors: An analysis of 6427 cases. J Craniomaxillofac Surg [Internet]. 20161119th ed. 2017;45(2):244–51. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28011178.
12. Aarthi S, Yuwanati M, Ramani P, et al. Efficacy of alternative agents to Carnoy’s solu-tion in the prevention of recurrence in odontogenic keratocyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Dent [Internet]. 20250423rd ed. 2025;26(3):151. Avail-able from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40269316.
13. Donnelly LA, Simmons TH, Blitstein BJ, et al. Modified Carnoy’s Compared to Carnoy’s Solu-tion Is Equally Effective in Preventing Recur-rence of Odontogenic Keratocysts. J Oral Maxil-lofac Surg [Internet]. 20210324th ed. 2021;79(9):1874–81. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33901451.
14. Therapie und Verlauf der rezidivierenden o-dontogenen Keratozyste. Ein Fallbericht [Inter-net]. 2005. Available from: https://www.zora.uzh.ch/handle/20.500.14742/31688.
15. Ghali GE, Connor MS. Surgical management of the odontogenic keratocyst. Oral Max-illofac Surg Clin North Am [Internet]. 2003;15(3):383–92. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088690.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. D. Moser, Prof. Dr. R. Schulze, Martin Wartenberg
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
