What is the recommended treatment for a calcifying odontogenic cyst?

• A. Radiation therapy
• B. Enucleation and curettage
• C. Antibiotic therapy
• D. Corticosteroid injection

Answer: (B)

The recommended treatment for a calcifying odontogenic cyst, also known as a Gorlin cyst, is enucleation and curettage. This approach is favored because the cyst has a tendency to recur if not completely removed. Enucleation involves surgically removing the entire cyst along with its surrounding capsule, which helps ensure that all the cystic epithelium is excised and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Curettage may also be performed after enucleation to scrape away any remnants of cyst material from the surgical site, further minimizing the chance of leftover epithelial cells that could lead to recurrence. This method supports successful outcomes and is considered a definitive treatment for this type of cyst, which typically presents as an asymptomatic jaw lesion.

Other treatments, such as radiation therapy, are inappropriate for cystic lesions like this due to the associated risks, including potential malignancy and damage to adjacent structures. Antibiotic therapy is not a suitable treatment modality for a calcifying odontogenic cyst since it does not address the cyst itself. Corticosteroid injection is generally used for inflammatory or immune-mediated conditions, and is not indicated in the case of this cyst type. Therefore, enucleation with curettage is the recommended and most effective treatment