Abstract
The diagnostic significance of the endoscopic examination of the cystic lesions of the jaw was evaluated in relation to the X-ray findings and pathological diagnosis. In 89 cases the cystic lesions were as follows: 21 radicular cysts, 11 dentigerous cysts, 18 primordial cysts, 16 odontogenic keratocysts, 2 calcifying odontogenic cysts, 8 so-called fissural cysts and 13 ameloblastomas. These lesions were examined by endoscopy, double contrast X-ray examination and punch biopsy.
A strong correlation was observed between the endoscopic findings of the colour and capillaries of the cyst wall and the histopathological findings of the inflammatory changes and the patterns of the capillaries beneath the epithelium. Definite pathological diagnosis was obtained by punch biopsy in 71.2 percent. This percentage was a little lower than that obtained with the surgical specimens.
These results suggest that endoscopy, double contrast X-ray examination and punch biopsy are useful methods for the differential diagnosis of the cystic lesions of the jaw.
