Therapeutic approach of simple bone cyst of the jaw: a retrospective study of 72 patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize the clinic-radiographic features of patients with simple bone cyst (SBC) of the jaw treated surgically, with a focus on surgical outcomes.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 72 patients who underwent surgical management for SBC at the West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China. Data collected included demographic, clinical, radiographic, surgical, and follow-up records.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were included (mean age, 20.54 ± 12.78 years); a modest female predominance was observed (62.5%). Most cases (91.7%) were asymptomatic; all lesions occurred in the mandible, and three cases (4.2%) were bilateral. Lesions were anatomically distributed across the anterior (n = 28), premolar (n = 20), molar (n = 18), and angle-ramus (n = 9) regions. Typical radiographic features included scalloped margins between adjacent tooth roots without root resorption or displacement, as well as cortical bone thinning without jaw expansion or cortical perforation. All patients underwent curettage, and the cavity contents were predominantly hemorrhagic or serous (86.7%). Follow-up imaging demonstrated progressive bone regeneration at the treated sites within 3 to 24 months postoperatively, with no cases of permanent nerve injury or pathologic fracture.

CONCLUSION

SBC predominantly affects adolescents and demonstrates characteristic radiographic features; however, surgical intervention remains indispensable for definitive diagnosis. Curettage proved to be an effective therapeutic strategy, resulting in low recurrence rates and favorable postoperative outcomes.