CT of cystic jaw lesions.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to compare the efficacy of CT with that of plain film radiography (PFR) in analyzing the three-dimensional shape and structure of cystic jaw lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients with cystic lesion of the jaw were studied by PFR and CT. The three-dimensional outline of the cyst and the distances between the cyst wall and adjacent vital teeth, cortical jaw bone, maxillary sinus, and mandibular canal were estimated on PFR and on CT scans.

RESULTS

Computed tomography was superior to PFR in the demonstration of the three-dimensional bony margins of the cyst and in determination of its proximity to adjacent vital structures (p < 0.01, sign test).

CONCLUSION

Application of CT is useful for diagnosis and treatment planning of cystic lesions of the jaws.