Problems relating to X-ray diagnosis of residual radicular cysts in the lower jaw

This is a description of the X-ray images in 23 patients (20 men and 3 women) with residual radicular cysts in the lower jaw missed during routing examination. The cyst form is irregular in 18 cases, oval - in three and elliptical - in one. In cysts presenting irregular and elliptical form the longitudinal dimension prevails over the vertical one. The cyst contours on the cancellous aspect are with clear-cut outlines, on the aspect of margo alveolaris - not invariably clear-cut, and on the compact side - not always visible. Usually the structure is homogenous (15 patients), rather seldom -lacunar (7 patients), and rarely - cellular (1 patient). Whenever teeth are present adjacent to the cyst, deviation of the roots is noted. In the presence of teeth the L. corticalis is invisible in nine patients and in four of them there is no root deviation. The obtained results are discussed in the light of literature data on the issue. 10 refs., 5 figs. (author)