A retrospective analysis of odontogenic cysts in pediatric and adolescent patients presenting to Trakya University Faculty of Dentistry

"A Retrospective Analysis of Odontogenic Cysts in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients Presenting to Trakya University Faculty of Dentistry," Specialty Thesis, Trakya University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Edirne, 2025. Objective: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the demographic and radiological characteristics of odontogenic cysts in children and adolescents aged 0–18 years who presented to the Faculty of Dentistry at Trakya University. Additionally, the study sought to analyze the distribution of these cysts according to gender, age group, and anatomical location, thereby contributing to the existing literature on the pediatric population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included radiographic data of individuals aged 0–18 years who applied to Trakya University Faculty of Dentistry for various reasons between 2017 and 2024. A total of 62 odontogenic cyst cases with confirmed histopathological diagnoses were included in the evaluation. Conventional panoramic radiographs (OPG) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were utilized for radiological examination. The localization, morphology, dimensions, and relationship of the lesions with adjacent anatomical structures were analyzed in detail. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Among the 62 cases evaluated, 56.5% were male and 43.5% were female. In terms of age distribution, 50% of the cysts were detected in individuals aged 13–18 years, 46.8% in those aged 7–12 years, and 3.2% in the 0–6 age group. The most frequently diagnosed lesion type was radicular cyst (53.2%), followed by dentigerous cysts (38.7%) and odontogenic keratocysts (8.1%). Anatomically, 61.3% of the lesions were located in the posterior region of the mandible. Radiological analysis revealed that radicular cysts were generally smaller in size, while odontogenic keratocysts exhibited greater variation in dimensions. Most lesions demonstrated a unilocular morphology, and multilocular features were observed only in odontogenic keratocysts. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that radicular cysts are the most common type of odontogenic cysts in children and adolescents, with a predominant localization in the posterior mandible. The data obtained provide valuable insights into the anatomical and radiological features of odontogenic cysts in the pediatric population, contributing to improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical awareness. Keywords: Odontogenic cyst, pediatric dentistry, radicular cyst, dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, cone-beam computed tomography