Definition: A cyst that forms around the apex or lateral canal of a non-vital tooth. Rarefying osteitis is used to describe a loss of bone due to inflammation and includes a radicular cyst as one of three entities. Once an area of rarefying osteitis becomes larger than 1 cm, a radicular cyst should be at the top of a differential list. These cases below have all been histopathologically confirmed as a radicular cyst.
Radiographic Features:
Location: Most commonly at the apex of a tooth, but is sometimes on the lateral aspect of a tooth when associated with a lateral canal.
Edge: Well-defined. May or may not be corticated. (If secondarily inflamed, the cortication may be lost.)
Shape: Round to ovoid.
Internal: Radiolucent, unilocular.
Other: Tooth must be non-vital that it is associated with. It may displace or resorb adjacent teeth as it enlarges.
Number: Typically single, but may be multiple locations throughout the jaws.
Radicular cyst
Radicular cyst
Radicular cyst
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