Efficacy of MRI in the differential diagnosis of odontogenic keratocyst: literature review

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2017), the odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is classified as an odon­togenic developmental cyst, with origins from the cellular remnants of the dental lamina. The characteristics of a high rate of cell proliferation, relapse and aggressive growth guide the choice of the type of surgical treatment for the lesion and, consequently, the prognosis. The use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the differential diagnosis of odon­togenic lesions does not replace anatomopathological examination, but the types of protocols already described illustra­te the influence of these different protocols on the qualitative and quantitative description of keratocysts. We conclude that magnetic resonance imaging is valid as a tool to aid diagnosis of odontogenic lesions, especially for differential diagnosis studies between odontogenic keratocysts and ameloblastomas.