Radiographic analysis of a calcifying odontogenic cyst

The Radiographic appearance of 33 cases of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) from 1971 to 1998 were analyzed. COC has a variety of radiographic appearances. According to the WHO classification¹⁾, such cysts can be divided into five subtypes in order to be considered as central COC and one peripheral type. The subtypes are as follows: I: Unilocular, II: COC associated with odontoma, III: alveolar bone type, IV: compound type, V: recurrences that have become malignant. Ghost cells are an important feature in the diagnosis of COC. However, ghost cells may occur in other tumors as well. Differentiation of the types of COC according to radiographic appearance will aid the clinical diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic cysts.