Comparison of radiographic and MRI features of a root-diverging odontogenic myxoma, with discussion of the differential diagnosis of lesions likely to move roots.

Lesions that can produce divergence of the roots of teeth in the mandible include odontogenic cysts (odontogenic keratocysts, lateral periodontal cysts and radicular cysts), ameloblastomas, odontogenic myxomas, central giant cell granulomas, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors and aneurismal bone cysts, and other tumors. Moreover most benign jaw lesions can do this occasionally. However, when lesions--which show interradicular tear-shaped radiolucencies--are small it is often difficult to interpret them radiographically, because they do not show characteristic radiographic features. We describe a comparison of radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) features of a root-diverging odontogenic myxoma, with discussion of the differential diagnosis of lesions likely to move roots. In addition, we discuss radiographic and MR features of possible lesions, which show similar radiographic findings to odontogenic myxoma.