Radicular cyst overview


A radicular cyst occasionally develops in cases of apical periodontitis. Epithelial rests that are normally present in the periapical area may start to multiply, sometimes resulting in a vacuole totally surrounded by epithelium. This is called a radicular cyst. The contents of the cyst lumen are non-vital and the lumen is gradually filled with increasing amount of cyst liquid. Many radicular cysts have a tendency to increase in size which, if untreated, may cause extensive bone destruction. Radicular cysts cannot be reliably identified from X-rays, but it is possible that they may complicate healing of apical periodontitis by conventional treatment (see true cysts and bay cysts).