Cysts and Pseudocysts of the Oral Cavity: Revision of the Literature and a New Proposed Classification

Abstract

This article includes a comprehensive and up-to-date review on the cysts of the oral cavity. Several classifications of odontogenic (OC) and non-odontogenic (non-OC) oral cysts and the surrounding regions have been proposed. We suggest a new critical classification based on an established relationship between anatomical area, histological origin and clinical behavior (frequency, rate of recurrence, malignant potential). Moreover, the differential cytokeratin (CKs) expression of the various cysts is reported as epithelium-specific markers of differential diagnosis. Finally, issues related to differential diagnosis and therapeutic approaches of the cysts included in the two groups are described.

Keywords: Cysts; classification; cytokeratin; diagnosis; oral cavity; pseudo-cysts; review.