Head and Neck Imaging

Bone cyst, head and neck

For a general description, see bone cyst. Cysts are more common in the jaw than in any other bone. Many different types of jaw cysts are encountered, of both odontogenic (arising from a cellular component of the enamel organ) and nonodontogenic origin. Despite difficulties in reaching a precise diagnosis, radiographic studies play an important role as the clinical examination commonly gives few useful clues. Many of these cysts cause no or few symptoms, even when relatively large; they often are discovered by chance when a radiographic study is performed for some other reason. See also under specific names.

RH