Odontogenic Keratocyst
Pronunciation: oh-DON-toh-JEN-ik KAIR-ah-toh-sist
Also written as: OKC — Odontogenic Keratocyst
An aggressive developmental odontogenic cyst characterised radiographically by a well-defined, often multilocular or scalloped radiolucency with a propensity for anteroposterior growth within medullary bone, most commonly in the posterior mandible.
Full Definition
The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign but locally aggressive jaw cyst arising from remnants of the dental lamina. It is notable for its high recurrence rate and, when multiple, its association with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome). Radiographically, OKCs typically appear as unilocular or multilocular radiolucencies with smooth or scalloped, well-corticated margins, often extending along the medullary cavity with minimal cortical expansion—a behavior distinct from other jaw cysts. The WHO reclassified OKC as 'keratocystic odontogenic tumour' (KCOT) in 2005 but reverted to 'odontogenic keratocyst' in the 2017 classification. Editors should be aware of this nomenclature history and apply the classification current to the document's date.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'odontogenic keratocyst' (OKC) per the current 2017 WHO classification. If editing a document written before 2017, note the historical usage of 'keratocystic odontogenic tumour' (KCOT) and apply consistently. Flag any inconsistent use of OKC vs. KCOT within the same document.
In Context
- "CBCT imaging demonstrated a multilocular, scalloped radiolucency extending from the mandibular premolar region to the ramus, with minimal buccal expansion, raising strong suspicion of an odontogenic keratocyst." — CBCT radiographic report
- "The manuscript alternated between 'OKC' and 'KCOT' without explanation; the editor standardized all references to 'odontogenic keratocyst' per the 2017 WHO classification." — Scientific manuscript editing