The so-called "globulomaxillary cyst" is extinct

Globulomaxillary cysts--do they really exist?

OBJECTIVES

The so-called "globulomaxillary cyst", described as a fissural cyst, caused by entrapped epithelium between the nasal and maxillary process, is no longer considered for its own entity. Nevertheless, cystic lesions, which correspond to the previous image of globulomaxillary cysts, do still occur in daily practice. This raises the question to which entities pathological processes in this particular region actually belong to.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, 17 cases (12 men and 5 women, 12-59 years old) of primarily diagnosed globulomaxillary cysts are analysed according to clinical, radiological and histological aspects, catamnestic processed and assigned to a new entity. The results are compared with the international literature and draws conclusions on the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

RESULTS

Seven lateral periodontal cysts, four radicular cysts, two keratocystic odontogenic tumours, one adenomatoid odontogenic tumour, one periapical granuloma, one residual cyst and one undefined jaw cyst were determined.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of our study and the data from the international literature, the entity globulomaxillary cyst is no longer justified.

Benign cysts and tumors of the paranasal sinuses

To thoroughly understand the biology of any lesion and render the appropriate management, clear and accurate definitions are paramount. For benign cysts and tumors of the oral maxillofacial region, an accurate depiction of these lesions needs to be elucidated to provide both the treating surgeon and the patient with a clear understanding of the course of treatment and the outcome.

A lesion of endodontic origin misdiagnosed as a globulomaxillary cyst

This report presents a case of a lesion originating from a pulpless central incisor misdiagnosed as a globulomaxillary cyst. The initial diagnosis of globulomaxillary cyst was made solely from radiographs by observing an almond-shaped radiolucency between the lateral incisor and cuspid. No pulp testing was performed before surgical removal of the lesion. The final diagnosis of an endodontic lesion caused solely by a pulpless central incisor was complicated by the initial lack of a pulpal response from the lateral incisor next to the surgical site. By delaying the start of endodontic treatment, pulp sensibility returned to the lateral incisor and the diagnosis of an endodontic lesion caused only by a pulpless central incisor was confirmed.

Relative incidence of odontogenic tumors and oral and jaw cysts in a Canadian population

The diagnoses of 40,000 consecutively accessioned oral biopsies from the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, were reviewed. All odontogenic neoplasm, neoplasm-like lesions (tumors), and true cysts of the oral tissues and jaws were listed. Clinical data were reviewed, and microscopic diagnoses were confirmed for cases in which diagnoses were ambiguous. Records of all cases were examined to identify distant referrals that were not representative of the study population. Of a total of 445 (1.11%) odontogenic tumors, 392 (0.98%) were lesions from patients in the usual local drawing area of the biopsy service; 53 were referred from distant centers. From the local population, odontomas were by far the most common tumor (51.53%) followed by ameloblastomas (13.52%) and peripheral odontogenic fibromas (8.93%). Locally, radicular (periapical) cysts were the most common odontogenic cyst (65.15%) followed by the dentigerous cyst (24.08%) and the odontogenic keratocyst (4.88%). The most common nonodontogenic cyst was the nasopalatine duct cyst that accounted for 73.43% of this subset of cysts. Surprisingly few studies of this type are available, especially for odontogenic tumors. These data are important to assess geographic differences in the incidence of lesions and to allow clinicians to make realistic judgments in counseling patients before biopsy about the probability of diagnosis and risks associated with nonspecific clinical or radiographic lesions.