Cystic Lesions in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Cystic lesions of the oral and maxillofacial region encompass a broad spectrum of developmental, inflammatory and neoplastic entities. Common odontogenic cysts arise from tooth-forming tissues and include radicular cysts and keratocystic odontogenic tumours, whereas non-odontogenic cysts such as nasopalatine duct cysts, mucous retention cysts and ranulae derive from salivary or embryonic epithelial remnants. Dermoid and epidermoid cysts represent a subset of developmental cysts of ectodermal origin that may present in the floor of the mouth or buccal mucosa. These lesions vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres, with potential impact on speech, mastication and airway. Clinical examination is complemented by imaging modalities—ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging—to delineate extent, relation to mylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles and content characteristics. Surgical enucleation via intraoral or external approaches remains the gold standard, with choice of access guided by anatomical classification, lesion size and patient factors. Advances in minimally invasive techniques and preoperative imaging have refined surgical planning, reduced morbidity and improved functional and aesthetic outcomes worldwide.

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Cystic Lesions in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cystic lesions in oral and maxillofacial surgery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dermoid cyst: A benign developmental cyst lined by skin-like epithelium and containing skin adnexal structures, arising from ectodermal tissue entrapment.

Epidermoid cyst: A developmental or acquired cyst lined solely by stratified squamous epithelium, filled with keratinous debris.

Ranula: A mucous extravasation pseudocyst in the floor of the mouth arising from sublingual gland leakage, not true epithelium-lined cyst.

Enucleation: Surgical removal of a cyst in its entirety, including its capsule, without rupturing its lining.

Mylohyoid muscle: A paired muscle forming the floor of the mouth, important for anatomical classification and surgical approach to cysts in the sublingual and submental spaces.

References

1. Dermoid and epidermoid cysts of the oral cavity: a 48-year retrospective study with focus on clinical and morphological features and review of main topics. Medicina Oral Patología Oral y Cirugia Bucal (2020).
2. Occurrence of dermoid cyst in the floor of the mouth: the importance of differential diagnosis in pediatric patients. Journal of Applied Oral Science (2017).
3. Epidermoid cyst of the buccal mucosa—An uncommon entity: Case report and literature review. Clinical Case Reports (2021).
4. Sublingual Dermoid Cyst in Young Child. Children (2023).