Abstract
We herein report a child with Garré osteomyelitis caused by an infected dentigerous cyst. The patient was a 4-year-old boy in whom detailed examination showed swelling of the right mandibular molar region. The swelling was accompanied by tenderness and trismus between the left cheek and submandibular region, the face was asymmetric, and there was diffuse swelling accompanied by tenderness in the buccal alveolar mucosa of the left mandibular molar region. Imaging findings revealed root resorption in the second deciduous molar that was partially encompassed by the swelling, and a laminar periosteal reaction on the lateral side of the buccal cortex. The patient underwent cystectomy under general anesthesia with extraction of the second deciduous molar in the left lower jaw via an intraoral approach. Pathologically, a cystic structure, lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and subepithelial connective tissues accompanied by edematous inflammatory cell infiltrates, was observed. Garré osteomyelitis caused by an infected dentigerous cyst was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and both imaging and pathological findings. Early diagnosis and treatments are suggested to be important, as osteomyelitis of the jaw in childhood may fully resolve with extraction of the culprit tooth and cyst after anti-inflammatory treatments.
