Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (753 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Cysts found in the jaws and arising from epithelium involved in tooth formation. They include follicular cysts (e.g., primordial cyst, dentigerous cyst, multilocular cyst), lateral periodontal cysts, and radicular cysts. They may become keratinized (odontogenic keratocysts). Follicular cysts may give rise to ameloblastomas and, in rare cases, undergo malignant transformation.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cyst, Odontogenic; Cysts, Odontogenic; Odontogenic Cyst; Keratocysts; Keratocyst.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Jaw Cysts
- Narrower topics
- Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome; Dentigerous Cyst; Odontogenic Cyst, Calcifying; Periodontal Cyst
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,649 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Odontogenic Cysts” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 862 of them (11.3%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 3,798 records.
Reviews account for 809 records (10.6%) and meta-analyses for 27. Randomized controlled trials number 21 (0.3%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,798 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,327 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,662 |
| 2020 onward | 862 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 809 | 10.6% |
| Meta-analyses | 27 | 0.4% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 21 | 0.3% |
Method: PubMed query "Odontogenic Cysts"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A Summary of the Changes of the 2022 (5th) Edition | 2022 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 174 | cc by PMID 35578902 · DOI · PMC9999699 |
| Engineering Genetic Predisposition in Human Neuroepithelial Stem Cells Recapitulates Medulloblastoma Tumorigenesis | 2019 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 72 | cc by PMID 31204176 · DOI · PMC6731167 |
| Differentiation of periapical granulomas and cysts by using dental MRI: a pilot study | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 68 | cc by PMID 29777107 · DOI · PMC5966810 |
| Multiomics Reveals IL-17 Drives Epithelial Keratinization and Proliferation via EHF in Odontogenic Keratocysts | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42123694 · DOI · PMC13163638 |
The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A Summary of the Changes of the 2022 (5th) Edition [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Head and Neck Tumors opened to online access in March 2022.
- Closing excerpt
- In this article, we review the odontogenic tumors and cysts of the jaw sections of the Odontogenic and Maxillofacial Bone Tumors Chapter, outlining changes from the 2017 WHO classification and summarizing the essential diagnostic criteria and new developments.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (141 words)
The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Head and Neck Tumors opened to online access in March 2022. This edition is conceptually similar to the previous classification of odontogenic lesions. The only newly defined entity in odontogenic lesions is adenoid ameloblastoma, which is classified under benign epithelial odontogenic tumors. While not odontogenic, the surgical ciliated cyst is a new entry to the cyst classification of the jaws. In other respects, a very important change was made in the new blue books that added 'essential and desirable diagnostic criteria' for each entity to highlight the features considered indispensable for diagnosis. In this article, we review the odontogenic tumors and cysts of the jaw sections of the Odontogenic and Maxillofacial Bone Tumors Chapter, outlining changes from the 2017 WHO classification and summarizing the essential diagnostic criteria and new developments.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35578902 · DOI · PMC9999699
Engineering Genetic Predisposition in Human Neuroepithelial Stem Cells Recapitulates Medulloblastoma Tumorigenesis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Human neural stem cell cultures provide progenitor cells that are potential cells of origin for brain cancers.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings demonstrate that human NES cells provide a potent experimental resource for dissecting genetic causation in medulloblastoma.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (146 words)
Human neural stem cell cultures provide progenitor cells that are potential cells of origin for brain cancers. However, the extent to which genetic predisposition to tumor formation can be faithfully captured in stem cell lines is uncertain. Here, we evaluated neuroepithelial stem (NES) cells, representative of cerebellar progenitors. We transduced NES cells with MYCN, observing medulloblastoma upon orthotopic implantation in mice. Significantly, transcriptomes and patterns of DNA methylation from xenograft tumors were globally more representative of human medulloblastoma compared to a MYCN-driven genetically engineered mouse model. Orthotopic transplantation of NES cells generated from Gorlin syndrome patients, who are predisposed to medulloblastoma due to germline-mutated PTCH1, also generated medulloblastoma. We engineered candidate cooperating mutations in Gorlin NES cells, with mutation of DDX3X or loss of GSE1 both accelerating tumorigenesis. These findings demonstrate that human NES cells provide a potent experimental resource for dissecting genetic causation in medulloblastoma.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31204176 · DOI · PMC6731167
Differentiation of periapical granulomas and cysts by using dental MRI: a pilot study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether periapical granulomas can be differentiated from periapical cysts in vivo by using dental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, MRI may substantially improve treatment strategies and help to avoid unnecessary surgery in apical periodontitis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (267 words)
The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether periapical granulomas can be differentiated from periapical cysts in vivo by using dental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prior to apicoectomy, 11 patients with radiographically confirmed periapical lesions underwent dental MRI, including fat-saturated T2-weighted (T2wFS) images, non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with and without fat saturation (T1w/T1wFS), and contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted (T1wFS+C) images. Two independent observers performed structured image analysis of MRI datasets twice. A total of 15 diagnostic MRI criteria were evaluated, and histopathological results (6 granulomas and 5 cysts) were compared with MRI characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Cohen's kappa (κ), Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test. Lesion identification and consecutive structured image analysis was possible on T2wFS and T1wFS+C MRI images. A high reproducibility was shown for MRI measurements of the maximum lesion diameter (intraobserver ICC = 0.996/0.998; interobserver ICC = 0.997), for the "peripheral rim" thickness (intraobserver ICC = 0.988/0.984; interobserver ICC = 0.970), and for all non-quantitative MRI criteria (intraobserver-κ = 0.990/0.995; interobserver-κ = 0.988). In accordance with histopathological results, six MRI criteria allowed for a clear differentiation between cysts and granulomas: (1) outer margin of lesion, (2) texture of "peripheral rim" in T1wFS+C, (3) texture of "lesion center" in T2wFS, (4) surrounding tissue involvement in T2wFS, (5) surrounding tissue involvement in T1wFS+C and (6) maximum "peripheral rim" thickness (all: P < 0.05). In conclusion, this pilot study indicates that radiation-free dental MRI enables a reliable differentiation between periapical cysts and granulomas in vivo. Thus, MRI may substantially improve treatment strategies and help to avoid unnecessary surgery in apical periodontitis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29777107 · DOI · PMC5966810
Multiomics Reveals IL-17 Drives Epithelial Keratinization and Proliferation via EHF in Odontogenic Keratocysts [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- This study aims to investigate epithelial cell (EpC) heterogeneity in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and the molecular mechanisms driving their characteristic keratinization and rapid proliferation.
- Closing excerpt
- Targeting this axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy to manage OKC growth and prevent recurrence.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (199 words)
This study aims to investigate epithelial cell (EpC) heterogeneity in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and the molecular mechanisms driving their characteristic keratinization and rapid proliferation. We integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics to profile OKC EpCs, validating findings via immunostaining and comparative analysis with normal oral mucosa. The regulatory roles of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and the transcription factor EHF were functionally assessed in vitro using human oral keratinocytes. Multi-omics mapping identified a distinct epithelial subpopulation (EpC2) characterized by robust keratinization, elevated keratin 13 (KRT13), and upregulated IL-17 signaling. Clinical OKC tissues exhibited significant upregulation and spatial co-localization of IL-17 and KRT13. In vitro, IL-17 robustly promoted cellular proliferation and KRT13 expression. Regulon analysis pinpointed EHF as the core transcription factor driving EpC2. EHF knockdown suppressed proliferation and downregulated KRT13, while overexpression amplified these processes. Crucially, IL-17 stimulation failed to rescue KRT13 expression in EHF-depleted cells, suggesting EHF as a critical downstream mediator. We present a comprehensive single-cell and spatial transcriptomic atlas of the OKC epithelium. The IL-17/EHF signaling axis appears to be a fundamental driver of OKC pathogenesis, promoting pathological hyperkeratinization and cellular proliferation. Targeting this axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy to manage OKC growth and prevent recurrence.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42123694 · DOI · PMC13163638
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Clinical manifestations in 105 persons with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome [5]
- Research article Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) [6]
- Research article Update from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors: Odontogenic and Maxillofacial Bone Tumours [7]
- Research article Nevoid basal cell carcinoma (Gorlin) syndrome [8]
- Research article Systematic review of the treatment and prognosis of the odontogenic keratocyst [9]
- Research article Odontogenic cysts, odontogenic tumors, fibroosseous, and giant cell lesions of the jaws [10]
References
- Soluk-Tekkesin M, Wright JM. The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A Summary of the Changes of the 2022 (5th) Edition. . 2022. PMID 35578902 · DOI · PMC9999699
- Huang M, Tailor J, Zhen Q, Gillmor AH, Miller ML, Weishaupt H, et al.. Engineering Genetic Predisposition in Human Neuroepithelial Stem Cells Recapitulates Medulloblastoma Tumorigenesis. . 2019. PMID 31204176 · DOI · PMC6731167
- Juerchott A, Pfefferle T, Flechtenmacher C, Mente J, Bendszus M, Heiland S, et al.. Differentiation of periapical granulomas and cysts by using dental MRI: a pilot study. . 2018. PMID 29777107 · DOI · PMC5966810
- Yi JR, Zhong NN, Liu XH, Zhu ZR, Zhang YJ, Wang J, et al.. Multiomics Reveals IL-17 Drives Epithelial Keratinization and Proliferation via EHF in Odontogenic Keratocysts. . 2026. PMID 42123694 · DOI · PMC13163638
- Kimonis VE, Goldstein AM, Pastakia B, Yang ML, Kase R, DiGiovanna JJ, et al.. Clinical manifestations in 105 persons with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 1997. PMID 9096761 · DOI
- Lo Muzio L. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome). Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008. PMID 19032739 · DOI · PMC2607262
- Vered M, Wright JM. Update from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors: Odontogenic and Maxillofacial Bone Tumours. Head Neck Pathol. 2022. PMID 35312978 · DOI · PMC9019005
- Gorlin RJ. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma (Gorlin) syndrome. Genet Med. 2004. PMID 15545751 · DOI
- Blanas N, Freund B, Schwartz M, Furst IM. Systematic review of the treatment and prognosis of the odontogenic keratocyst. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2000. PMID 11077375 · DOI
- Regezi JA. Odontogenic cysts, odontogenic tumors, fibroosseous, and giant cell lesions of the jaws. Mod Pathol. 2002. PMID 11904346 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.