The patient came to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology with the chief complaint of reduced mouth opening from 1 month.
The patient had a limited ability to open her mouth, measuring approximately 7mm between 11 to 41 (interincisal distance) which resulted in an incomplete intraoral examination.
Based on radiographic findings provisional diagnosis was given as an infected cyst i.r.t 38.
The final diagnosis was given based on histopathological analysis as inflamed keratocyst i.r.t 38.
The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a distinctive form of developmental odontogenic cyst that deserves special consideration because of its specific histopathologic features and clinical behavior. There is general agreement that the OKC arises from cell rests of the dental lamina.
This lesion is significant for three reasons -Greater growth potential than most other odontogenic Cysts, higher recurrence rate, and possible association with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma Syndrome.
OKCs may be found in patients who range in age from infancy to old age, but about 60% of all cases are diagnosed in people between 10 and 40 years of age. There is a slight male predilection. The mandible is involved in 60% to 80% of cases, with a marked tendency to involve the posterior body and ramus.
Management- treated similarly to other odontogenic cysts—i.e., by enucleation and curettage.