An Unexpected Lingual Cortical Erosion in a Solitary Bone Cyst of the Mandible

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman reported to the outpatient department with the chief complaint of intermittent, sharp, radiating pain in the lower left back tooth region for the past five days which aggravated on mastication and reduced on medication. Medical history was non significant and dental history revealed that the patient underwent extractions five years before. On clinical examination, no extraoral abnormalities were detected [Table/Fig-1]. Intraoral examination revealed decayed 27, 36, 47 teeth, missing 46,31,32, and tenderness on percussion in relation to 37,38. There was generalised gingival attachment loss and mobility in relation to 37,22,16,41,42 [Table/ Fig-2]. On further examination, a localised swelling was evident on the alveolar mucosa in relation to 37 and 38, measuring approximately 1×2 mm with a smooth surface and irregular margins. No discharge was present. On palpation, the swelling was tender with no pus discharge. No bony expansion was appreciated [Table/Fig-3]. A provisional diagnosis of dental caries with a periapical abscess in relation to 37, 38 was given.

Keywords

• alveolar mucosa
• multilocular
• pseudocyst
• radiolucent
• traumatic bone cyst