Self-healing traumatic bone cysts

Abstract

The etiology and pathogenesis of traumatic bone cyst are still far from being conclusively established with multiple theories, names, and forms of management being proposed and used. The rarity of these lesions in the older age groups suggests that self-healing can occur. This article presents two well-documented cases of what clinically and radiographically were consistent with so-called "traumatic bone cyst" of the mandible, which have appeared to heal without surgical intervention, thus providing additional information to our understanding of the biologic nature of this entity. Case 1 involved a 14-year-old boy with a lesion of the anterior left mandible that was monitored for 7 years and 5 months. Case 2 involved a 19-year-old female patient with a lesion of the right mandible that was monitored for 2 years and 9 months. In both cases, intraosseous biopsy or other surgical procedures were not undertaken. By the time both patients approached age 22, their lesions had resolved and the trabecular bone pattern radiographically approached normal.