Lateral periodontal cyst. Multifactorial analysis of a previously unreported series.

The objective of the present study was to review a series of 23 lateral periodontal cysts and 2 botryoid odontogenic cysts retrieved from the files of the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY) Oral Pathology Biopsy Service for epidemiologic characteristics as well as radiographic findings, clinical presentation, histopathologic features, and management. This study corroborated some previously established characteristics of the lesion but also revealed some surprising aberrations. A significant difference in the age range and mean age by gender was detected with the Student's t test within this population at the 0.05 level. The classic presentation of a lateral periodontal cyst seems to be that of an asymptomatic, small, ovoid, well-corticated radiolucency that occurs in an interradicular locus in the mandibular premolar segment of a middle-aged man. However, lateral periodontal cysts may manifest with pain and cause cortical perforation, may present as large expansile radiolucencies, may arise in the maxillary molar segment, and may develop in young females. Because of the tendency for aggressiveness of other lesions that may present with a similar picture, it is important to establish the final diagnosis of lateral periodontal cyst on a histologic basis in conjunction with the clinical and radiographic findings.