Differential diagnosis between odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma by computed tomography

Eun, Sang A; Kim, Kee Deog; Park, Chang Seo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to find the differentiating characteristics of ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts of the jaw by analyzing computed tomography (CT) images of the lesions, clarify radiological characteristics associated with jaw lesions, and to make a diagnsis based on these findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Test subjects were chosen among the patients who were diagnosed as having an odontogenic keratocyst or ameloblastoma at the Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 1996 to December 2000 and had CT scans taken preoperatively. The subject pool was comprised of 51 cases of odontogenic keratocyst and 37 cases of ameloblastoma. The following measures were used for image analysis of the lesion : the anatomic location, CT pattern, mesiodistal width, buccolingual width, the ratios between mesiodistal width and buccolingual width, height, CT number, homogeneity of radiodensity, the appearance of a sclerotic rim, continuity of adjacent cortical bone, and displacement and resorption of adjacent teeth.
RESULTS
Comparing the CT patten, mesiodistal width, buccolingual width, height, CT number, homogeneity, appearance of sclerotic rim, continuity of adjacent cortical bone, there were statistically significant differences between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst test subjects (p<0.05). Comparing the ratios between mesiodistal width and buccolingual width, displacement and resorption of adjacent teeth, there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
We compared odontogenic keratocysts and ameloblastomas in CT scans. They occurred most frequently in the posterior to the ramus of the mandible. The findings of patterns of the CT images showed that size and border of lesions were more aggressive in ameloblastomas than in odontogenic keratocysts. The internal contents represented an increased attenuation area (IAA) in odontopenic keratocyst. Odontogenic keratocysts were shown to have higher CT numbers than ameloblastomas.