Unusually Large Radicular Cysts of Maxilla : Steps in Diagnosis & Review of Management

Radicular cystsare common odontogenic cyst of jaw bone which invariably presents as welldefined radiolucency around the apex of the involved tooth. It is diagnosed on routine radiography or causes a slow growing swelling, limited to apical region of a tooth. Radicular cyst presenting as unusually large maxillary lesions is uncommon. This paper reports two cases of large radicular cyst involving maxilla. The first case presented as a single lesion occupying almost the entire anterior maxilla, while the second case presented a large cyst occupying the entire left half of the maxilla and the maxillary sinus. Unusually large radicular cyst of maxilla require stepwise clinical, radiological and laboratory evaluation to reach a definitive diagnosis. Although no consensusexist regarding the precise treatment modality for large radicular cyst of maxilla, both cases were successfully treated by surgical removal of the cyst following endodontic therapy.