Lateral Periodontal Cysts with a 1-year Follow-Up and Literature Review

Background : Lateral periodontal cyst (LPC) is a relatively rare, developmental odontogenic cyst that appears along the lateral surface of a vital tooth. It is often discovered incidentally during the review of routine dental radiographs. The purpose of this report is to present the successful management of this rare lesion in a 70-year-old man and discuss how it could be distinguished from similar pathologies. Case Presentation : A 70-year-old male Nigerian presented at the periodontology clinic of the Dental Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, on April 16, 2024, for treatment of a gingival swelling of seven weeks' duration in the lower left premolar region. The teeth #33 and #34 adjacent to the lesion were stable, with no diastema between teeth #34 and #35. The teeth showed no sensitivity to percussion, exhibited a normal response to the thermal (cold) test, and were non-carious. Periapical radiograph revealed a teardrop-shaped unilocular radiolucent lesion in the mandible, located buccally between the cervical regions of the roots of #34 and #35, measuring approximately 0.5 mm in diameter. Excision of the lesion and curettage of the surgical bed were done, and tissue was submitted for microscopic examination. This revealed a cystic lesion, lined by two to three layers of non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. At post-operative reviews, healing progressed well, and the area showed complete healing at one-year review using clinical and radiographic assessment. Conclusion : A case of LPC in a 70-year-old Nigerian treated by surgical excision was presented. There was no complication; soft tissue and bone healing were optimal at one-year review