The paradental cyst a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases.

This retrospective study describes the clinical, radiographic and histological features of 26 paradental cysts. These cysts comprised 0.9% of the 2700 cases of jaw cysts diagnosed in 9 years. The true incidence is, however, probably greater since many cases are misdiagnosed. The cysts occurred in relation to partly or fully erupted teeth and were all located in the mandible. An equal sex distribution was found and clinical symptoms in the form of swelling was the main finding especially for the paradental cysts located in the first and second molar area. The radiographic characteristics of the paradental cysts were found to be rather variable. The borders of the cysts adjacent and distal to the third molars were more distinct than the borders of the cysts in the first and second molar area. Histologically, all the cysts were lined by a nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with edema and migration of neutrophils through the epithelium. In most cases, the epithelium was markedly hyperplastic. The connective tissue wall was infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells.