So-called simple bone cyst of the jaw: a family of pseudocysts of diverse nature and etiology.

The nature and etiology of so-called simple bone cyst (SBC) are still a subject of debate. Our comprehensive review of the literature suggests that SBC, which appears histologically to be a single entity, has different natures and etiologies, resulting in divergent clinical features. In addition, an interesting case of mandibular SBC in an 11-year-old girl is presented with details of radiographic changes over a 7-year period. Fully documented patient records revealed that this lesion originated in the apical area of the first molar and took about 4 years to develop into a clinically evident bony expansion.