TITLE:
Mandibular Odontogenic Keratocyst in a Young Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Nadia El Haiba, Nadia El Wadidi, Ziad Farih, Mokrane Khazana, Youssef Naji
KEYWORDS:
Odontogenic Keratocyst, CBCT Imaging, Surgical Enucleation, Mandibular Cyst, Recurrence Prevention, Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: Odontogenic keratocysts are frequent cysts of the jaws, representing 10% - 20% of odontogenic cysts. They develop from the dental lamina or its remnants and mainly affect young adults, with a slight male predominance. The mandible, particularly the angle and molar region, is the most frequent site. We report the case of an 18-year-old female presenting with left mandibular pain. Three-dimensional imaging allowed precise evaluation of the lesion’s extent and its anatomical relationships. Management consisted of surgical enucleation with extraction of the associated tooth. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an odontogenic keratocyst. Prolonged follow-up, essential to detect possible recurrence, was instituted. This case illustrates the importance of early diagnosis, 3D imaging, and rigorous follow-up in the management of odontogenic keratocysts.