Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumour Mimicking Lateral Periodontal Cyst: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

The Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor is a developmental cyst derived from the enamel organ or from the dental lamina. It is a benign, multicystic, intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and has a potential for aggressive, infiltrative behavior and recurrence. Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors have a predilection for males and occurs mainly in the second and third decade of life, most commonly in the mandible, mostly in the posterior body, the angle and the ascending ramus. It extends in the intramedullary space making it difficult to diagnose at an early stage. It is regarded as a distinctive entity because of its characteristic histology, proliferation kinetics and behavior. Main in 1970 described, collateral variant of Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor, which presents adjacent to the roots of the teeth usually in the mandibular premolar region and radiologically is indistinguishable from the lateral periodontal cyst and gingival cyst.