Therapeutic effects of sialendoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of hyposalivation patients: a retrospective study / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

Background@#Hyposalivation is disease with multiple symptoms. This disease is hard to be diagnosed and to be treated, and there are not enough clinical protocols to cure the disease. In this study, we propose our own treatment protocols which aim not only to cure the disease but also to care for the disease-related symptoms. @*Methods@#At the 1st visit, we collect patient-related information. This procedure includes an intraoral exam, patient history taking, VAS value and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) measurement, and salivary buffer test. Following the interview and oral examination, objective results are obtained by radiological image, CT, and sialoscintigraphy. At the 2nd visit, we analyze radiographic images including neck CT and salivary scintigraphy. These images can allow accurate diagnosis and help the patients to better understand the current condition. Depending on the severity of symptoms and patient’s discomfort, we try a surgical approach at the 3rd visit, sialendoscopy. @*Results@#With treatment, we can manage the discomfort of patients in daily life. The VAS value of hyposalivation patients dropped gradually with the trial of sialendoscopy. In the case of Sjogren’s syndrome patients, the treatment efficacy has been decreased with low reactivity of treatment. The true meaning of this treatment is in not only curing the disease, but also caring for the disrupted patients. Overall, the amount of UWS increased with the progress after the procedure. Especially in the lower UWS at the 1st visit, there was a more significant increase after the procedure. @*Conclusion@#Although many factors that cause hyposalivation have not been identified, the efficacy of sialendoscopy to relieve discomfort in hyposalivation patients has been observed. However, treatment was more difficult and complicated in the group of patients with systemic disease. This study will not only present a treatment protocol for hyposalivation patients, but also consider methods for diagnosing more precisely and improving treatment efficacy. Hyposalivation is a curable and manageable disease in some cases, so interpretation between the clinician and the patient is important.

Association of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Preterm Birth: Machine Learning Analysis

Background@#This study used machine learning and population data for testing the associations of preterm birth with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and periodontitis. @*Methods@#Retrospective cohort data came from Korea National Health Insurance Service claims data for all women who aged 25–40 years and gave births for the first time as singleton pregnancy during 2015–2017 (405,586 women). The dependent variable was preterm birth during 2015–2017 and the independent variables were GERD (coded as no vs. yes) for each of the years 2002–2014, periodontitis (coded as no vs. yes) for each of the years 2002–2014, age (year) in 2014, socioeconomic status in 2014 measured by an insurance fee, and region (city) (coded as no vs. yes) in 2014. Random forest variable importance was adopted for finding main predictors of preterm birth and testing its associations with GERD and periodontitis. @*Results@#Based on random forest variable importance, main predictors of preterm birth during 2015–2017 were socioeconomic status in 2014, age in 2014, GERD for the years 2012, 2014, 2010, 2013, 2007 and 2009, region (city) in 2014 and GERD for the year 2006. The importance rankings of periodontitis were relatively low. @*Conclusion@#Preterm birth has a stronger association with GERD than with periodontitis. For the prevention of preterm birth, preventive measures for GERD would be essential together with the improvement of socioeconomic status for pregnant women. Especially, it would be vital to promote active counseling for general GERD symptoms (neglected by pregnant women).

Pre-contoured reconstruction plate fabricated via three-dimensional printed bending support

A mandibular continuity defect can be repaired using either a prosthetic device or autogenous bone. A titanium reconstruction plate can be used with a localized or vascularized flap over the defect of the mandible. Unfortunately, the plate may fail due to plate exposure, screw loosening, fracture, or infection, and will need to be removed. Plate exposure though the skin or mucosa is one of the main reasons for failure. In the present work, the authors introduced a lingually positioned reconstruction plate fabricated via three-dimensional printed bending support. This custom reconstruction plate can avoid plate re-exposure as well as reduce surgical errors and operation time.

Pre-contoured reconstruction plate fabricated via three-dimensional printed bending support

A mandibular continuity defect can be repaired using either a prosthetic device or autogenous bone. A titanium reconstruction plate can be used with a localized or vascularized flap over the defect of the mandible. Unfortunately, the plate may fail due to plate exposure, screw loosening, fracture, or infection, and will need to be removed. Plate exposure though the skin or mucosa is one of the main reasons for failure. In the present work, the authors introduced a lingually positioned reconstruction plate fabricated via three-dimensional printed bending support. This custom reconstruction plate can avoid plate re-exposure as well as reduce surgical errors and operation time.

Determinants of Spontaneous Preterm Labor and Birth Including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Periodontitis

Background@#Periodontitis is reported to be associated with preterm birth (spontaneous preterm labor and birth). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common during pregnancy and is expected to be related to periodontitis. However, little research has been done on the association among preterm birth, GERD and periodontitis. This study uses popular machine learning methods for analyzing preterm birth, GERD and periodontitis. @*Methods@#Data came from Anam Hospital in Seoul, Korea, with 731 obstetric patients during January 5, 1995 - August 28, 2018. Six machine learning methods were applied and compared for the prediction of preterm birth. Variable importance, the effect of a variable on model performance, was used for identifying major determinants of preterm birth. @*Results@#In terms of accuracy, the random forest (0.8681) was similar with logistic regression (0.8736). Based on variable importance from the random forest, major determinants of preterm birth are delivery and pregestational body mass indexes (BMI) (0.1426 and 0.1215), age (0.1211), parity (0.0868), predelivery systolic and diastolic blood pressure (0.0809 and 0.0763), twin (0.0476), education (0.0332) as well as infant sex (0.0331), prior preterm birth (0.0290), progesterone medication history (0.0279), upper gastrointestinal tract symptom (0.0274), GERD (0.0242), Helicobacter pylori (0.0151), region (0.0139), calcium-channel-blocker medication history (0.0135) and gestational diabetes mellitus (0.0130). Periodontitis ranked 22nd (0.0084). @*Conclusion@#GERD is more important than periodontitis for predicting and preventing preterm birth. For preventing preterm birth, preventive measures for hypertension, GERD and diabetes mellitus would be needed alongside the promotion of effective BMI management and appropriate progesterone and calcium-channel-blocker medications.

Determinants of Spontaneous Preterm Labor and Birth Including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Periodontitis

Background@#Periodontitis is reported to be associated with preterm birth (spontaneous preterm labor and birth). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common during pregnancy and is expected to be related to periodontitis. However, little research has been done on the association among preterm birth, GERD and periodontitis. This study uses popular machine learning methods for analyzing preterm birth, GERD and periodontitis. @*Methods@#Data came from Anam Hospital in Seoul, Korea, with 731 obstetric patients during January 5, 1995 - August 28, 2018. Six machine learning methods were applied and compared for the prediction of preterm birth. Variable importance, the effect of a variable on model performance, was used for identifying major determinants of preterm birth. @*Results@#In terms of accuracy, the random forest (0.8681) was similar with logistic regression (0.8736). Based on variable importance from the random forest, major determinants of preterm birth are delivery and pregestational body mass indexes (BMI) (0.1426 and 0.1215), age (0.1211), parity (0.0868), predelivery systolic and diastolic blood pressure (0.0809 and 0.0763), twin (0.0476), education (0.0332) as well as infant sex (0.0331), prior preterm birth (0.0290), progesterone medication history (0.0279), upper gastrointestinal tract symptom (0.0274), GERD (0.0242), Helicobacter pylori (0.0151), region (0.0139), calcium-channel-blocker medication history (0.0135) and gestational diabetes mellitus (0.0130). Periodontitis ranked 22nd (0.0084). @*Conclusion@#GERD is more important than periodontitis for predicting and preventing preterm birth. For preventing preterm birth, preventive measures for hypertension, GERD and diabetes mellitus would be needed alongside the promotion of effective BMI management and appropriate progesterone and calcium-channel-blocker medications.

Corrigendum: Clinical characteristics and recurrence-related factors of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

This correction is being published to provide the approval number of the Institutional Review Board at the Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate section in the above article. The authors apologize for this error.

Clinical characteristics and recurrence-related factors of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and to elucidate factors affecting recurrence in surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 51 patients who were diagnosed with MRONJ were analyzed according to demographic and clinical features and treatment results through a retrospective chart review from 2013 to 2017 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul in Korea. RESULTS: Alendronate composed the majority of medication doses (55.6%), followed by ibandronate (20.0%), risedronate (15.6%), and zoledronate (6.7%). Forty patients (88.9%) were given oral medication, and five patients (11.1%) were intravenously treated, and the mean duration of medication use was 61.1±42.9 months. A total of 10 patients (22.2%) had a drug holiday before MRONJ-induced dental treatment lasting an average of 6.8±7.0 months. MRONJ occurred 2.7 times more in the mandible, with 41 cases (73.2%) occurring in the mandible and 15 cases (26.8%) occurring in the maxilla, and the prevalence of affected posterior parts (premolar-molar) was six times greater than that of the anterior parts (incisor-canine) (48 cases vs 8 cases, 85.7% vs 14.3%). The most common dental cause of MRONJ was tooth extraction (69.6%). Regarding recurrence, there was no statistical difference in recurrence rate according to either site or stage. However, recurrence occurred in 4 out of 34 cases (11.8%) in the primary closure group and 9 out of 20 cases (45.0%) in the secondary healing group, and there was a statistical difference with respect to closure technique. CONCLUSION: The identified risk factors in patients taking bone resorption inhibitors can aid dental clinicians in ensuring prevention and proper treatment of MRONJ.

Sialolithotomy of the submandibular duct using sialendoscopy / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND@#Conventionally, indirect radiography has been used to diagnose salivary gland diseases. However, with the development of sialendoscopy, diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland diseases have become more effective. Herein, we report a case of sialolithotomy treated with sialendoscopy and compare it with the existing methods through a literature review.CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients with a foreign body sensation under the tongue and dry mouth visited the Anam Hospital, Korea University. Radiographic examination revealed salivary stones inside the right Wharton duct, and the patients underwent sialolithotomy under local or general anaesthesia. The stones were totally removed, and there were no postoperative complications such as bleeding or pain.@*CONCLUSION@#The development of sialendoscopy has enabled better definitive diagnosis of salivary gland diseases compared with the conventional methods; better treatment outcomes can be obtained when sialendoscopy is used in appropriate cases.

Preliminary study on the efficacy of xerostomia treatment with sialocentesis targeting thyroid disease patients given radioiodine therapy / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND@#Radioiodine therapy has been widely used for thyroid disease patients, but hyposalivation and xerostomia may occur in 10~30% of patients. Sialocentesis is a procedure that removes inflammatory substances in the salivary duct and expands the duct for the secretion and delivery of saliva. In this study, thyroid disease patients treated with radioactive iodine were selected among the patients with xerostomia who visited the hospital, and the effect of sialocentesis was compared and analyzed. And then, comparison between the radioiodine therapy-experienced group and the non-radioiodine therapy-experienced group was conducted.@*RESULTS@#In this study, we studied xerostomia patients who underwent radioiodine therapy due to thyroid diseases and who underwent sialocentesis at the Korea University Anam Hospital. Sialocentesis is conducted by one surgeon. The study also compares the clinical symptoms before and after the surgery. After the procedure, the discomfort due to xerostomia was reduced, and the symptom was improved effectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of this study showed that sialocentesis has a clinical effect in the treatment of xerostomia, which is a side effect of radioiodine therapy. In addition, the possibility of further clinical application of sialocentesis in the future is found.

Effect of arthrocentesis on the clinical outcome of various treatment methods for temporomandibular joint disorders / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND@#We evaluated the improvement of pain and the increase in mouth opening after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis and the possible association with various factors such as previous splint treatment, medication, and diagnosis.@*RESULTS@#We studied 57 temporomandibular joint disorder patients who underwent arthrocentesis at Korea University Anam Hospital. These patients (24 males and 33 females, aged between 15 and 76 years) underwent arthrocentesis that was performed by one surgeon. The degree of mouth opening (assessed using the maximum mouth opening: MMO) and pain (assessed using the visual analog scale: VAS) were assessed pre- and post-arthrocentesis. The study also investigated whether treatment modalities other than arthrocentesis (medication and appliance therapy) were performed. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in mouth opening and pain after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis. Preoperative appliance therapy affected the results of arthrocentesis, but it was not statistically significant. With regard to pain relief, preoperative diagnosis did not show a significant difference. However, with regard to maximum mouth opening, patients with disc displacement without reduction with limited mouth opening (closed lock) showed the highest recovery (11.13 mm).@*CONCLUSION@#The average of MMO increase after arthrocentesis was 9.10 mm, and patients with disc displacement without reduction with locking (closed lock) showed most recovery in maximum mouth opening and it was statistically significant. The average pain relief of patients after arthrocentesis was 3.03 in the VAS scale, and patients using anterior repositioning splint (ARS) preoperatively showed the most pain relief.

Modified Fisher method for unilateral cleft lip-report of cases / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation of normal function and form is essential in cleft lip repair. In 2005, Dr. David M. Fisher introduced an innovative method, named “an anatomical subunit approximation technique” in unilateral cleft lip repair. According to this method, circumferential incision along the columella on cleft side of the medial flap is continued to the planned top of the Cupid's bow in straight manner, which runs parallel to the unaffected philtral ridge. Usually, small inlet incision is needed to lengthen the medial flap. On lateral flap, small triangle just above the cutaneous roll is used to prevent unesthetic shortening of upper lip. This allows better continuity of the Cupid’s bow and ideal distribution of tension. CASE PRESENTATION: As a modification to original method, orbicularis oris muscle overlapping suture is applied to make the elevated philtral ridge. Concomitant primary rhinoplasty also results in good esthetic outcome with symmetric nostrils and correction of alar web. As satisfactory results were obtained in three incomplete and one complete unilateral cleft lip patients, indicating Fisher’s method can be useful in cleft lip surgery with functional and esthetic outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically applied Fisher's method in unilateral cleft lip patients proved the effectiveness in improving the esthetic results with good symmetry. This method also applied with primary rhinoplasty.

Comparison of Image Quality between Swept-Source and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography According to Ocular Media Opacity

PURPOSE: To compare the image quality between swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), especially in eyes with media opacity. METHODS: Forty eyes without media opacity and 60 eyes with media opacity (30 eyes with cataract, 20 eyes with vitreous opacity, and 10 eyes with corneal opacity) were included in this study. SD-OCT and SS-OCT 6 x 6 macular scans were taken by a single operator. For image quality analysis, a total of 200 OCT images were subjectively graded by two trained retina specialists and measured quantitatively using the image quality factor (QF) built into the OCT devices. RESULTS: Compared to conventional SD-OCT, SS-OCT had statistically significantly better subjective and objective grades in the normal group, as well as each of the media opacity groups (p-value < 0.001). In both the subjective and objective grades, there was no significant difference according to the types of media opacity (QF: p = 0.188, subject grading scale [SGS]: p = 0.635) and the degree of media opacity (Group I: 20 < or = QF < 50, Group II: 0 < or = QF < 20; QF: p = 0.088, SGS: p = 0.051) in the superiority of image quality of SS-OCT to SD-OCT. CONCLUSIONS: In this media opacity patient population, swept-source OCT is a superior diagnostic tool when compared with SD-OCT in both objective and subjective assessments, even in the ocular media opacity. This result may be useful in diagnosis and progression detection of retinal disease in media opacity eyes.

A Case of Bilateral Acute Angle Closure Attack Induced by Common Cold Medication

PURPOSE: The authors report a case of bilateral simultaneous acute angle closure attack following administration of an over-the-counter common cold medication (ingredients: chlorpheniramine maleate, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and belladonna alkaloid). CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old man visited the emergency room with a sudden onset of bilateral blurred vision and ocular pain accompanied by headache, nausea, and vomiting. He had taken an over-the-counter common cold medication three times per day for three days before the visit. His visual acuity was 0.3 and 0.7 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 50 mm Hg and 40 mm Hg in right and left eye, respectively. The refraction in manifest refractive test was +0.75 D sph = -0.75 D cyl x 100 in right eye and +1.25 D sph = -1.25 D cyl x 80 in left eye. The anterior chamber depth was three times the corneal thickness in center and less than 1/4 of the corneal thickness in periphery in both eyes on van Herick method. The angles of both eyes were closed on gonioscopy. He was treated with ocular hypotensive medication and miotics followed by withdrawal of common cold medications. After 10 days, bilateral neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral iridotomies were done. During four months of follow-up, there was no recurrence of angle closure attack, and normal IOP was maintained without glaucoma medications. CONCLUSIONS: Common cold medications which are easily accessible can induce acute angle closure attack in those who are predisposed to develop angle closure attacks, hence attention must be taken in those people when taking common cold medications.

Evaluation of the Cortical Vitreous Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Normal Eyes

PURPOSE: To observe the shape of posterior vitreous spaces using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in normal eyes. METHODS: The posterior vitreous of 80 eyes of 80 volunteers without ocular disease was imaged. The DRI OCT-1 Atlantis (Topcon, Oakland, NJ, USA) was used to acquire scans of the posterior vitreous over an 18 × 18-mm2 area using the 12-mm horizontal line scan protocol. The size of the premacularis bursa was measured by the aliper function of the OCT. RESULTS: A boat-shape bursa was found in most cases. The prevalence of detected bursa fell with further increases in the extent of posterior vitreous detachment. The mean width of the bursa premacularis was 7,679.1 µm and the mean depth was 471.4 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Deep range imaging optical coherence tomography will provide improvement for in vivo anatomic characterization of the cortical vitreous, and allow better visualization of the dimensions of the bursa premacularis.

Evaluation of the Cortical Vitreous Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Normal Eyes

PURPOSE: To observe the shape of posterior vitreous spaces using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in normal eyes. METHODS: The posterior vitreous of 80 eyes of 80 volunteers without ocular disease was imaged. The DRI OCT-1 Atlantis (Topcon, Oakland, NJ, USA) was used to acquire scans of the posterior vitreous over an 18 × 18-mm2 area using the 12-mm horizontal line scan protocol. The size of the premacularis bursa was measured by the aliper function of the OCT. RESULTS: A boat-shape bursa was found in most cases. The prevalence of detected bursa fell with further increases in the extent of posterior vitreous detachment. The mean width of the bursa premacularis was 7,679.1 µm and the mean depth was 471.4 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Deep range imaging optical coherence tomography will provide improvement for in vivo anatomic characterization of the cortical vitreous, and allow better visualization of the dimensions of the bursa premacularis.

Astigmatic Correlation between the Automated Refractometry and Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer in Pseudophakic Eyes

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the refractive astigmatism by automated refractometry and the corneal astigmatism by a dual Scheimpflug analyzer in pseudophakic eyes. METHODS: Prospectively, 75 patients (100 eyes) were enrolled in the present study. Refractive astigmatism was obtained by automated refraction. Corneal astigmatism was obtained using automated keratometry (ARK-530A®) and dual Scheimpflug scanning analysis (Galilei G4®). All refractive values were converted to the power vector components J0 and J45 for comparison and regression analysis of refractive versus corneal astigmatism. Bland-Altman plots were created to estimate the agreement between measurements. RESULTS: The average astigmatism from each measurement was -1.11 ± 1.44 D (refractive astigmatism from automated refraction), -0.77 ± 1.06 D (corneal astigmatism from automated keratometry), -0.93 ± 1.02 D (simulated K from Galilei G4®), and -1.11 ± 1.48 D (total corneal power from Galilei G4®). Refractive J0 and keratometric J0 were significantly correlated (r = 0.557, p ≤ 0.001), as well as the corresponding J45 values (r = 0.655, p = 0.025). Refractive astigmatism and total corneal power components were also significantly correlated (J0: r = 0.618, p ≤ 0.001; J45: r = 0.608, p = 0.04). In the Bland-Altman plots, keratometric J0 and total corneal power J0 showed the best agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of measurements for corneal refraction and astigmatism in pseudophakic eyes is higher using the dual Scheimpflug analyzer, especially for total corneal power. This value of astigmatism can take into account the refractive astigmatism of pseudophakic eyes and can be used in evaluating postoperative corneal astigmatism.

Macular Choroidal Thickness and Volume Measured by Swept-source Optical Coherence Tomography in Healthy Korean Children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the thickness and volume of the choroid in healthy Korean children using swept-source optical coherence tomography. METHODS: We examined 80 eyes of 40 healthy children and teenagers ( or =18 years) and compared adult measurements with the findings in children. RESULTS: The mean age of the children and teenagers was 9.47 +/- 3.80 (4 to 17) vs. 55.04 +/- 12.63 years (36 to 70 years) in the adult group (p < 0.001, Student's t-test). Regarding the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfields, the inner temporal subfield was the thickest (247.96 microm). The inner and outer nasal choroid were thinner (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, respectively) than the surrounding areas. The mean choroidal volumes of the inner and outer nasal areas were smaller (p = 0.004, p = 0.003, respectively) than those of all the other areas in each circle. Among the nine subfields, all areas in the children, except the outer nasal subfield, were thicker than those in adults (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that age, axial length, and refractive error correlated with subfoveal choroidal thickness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall macular choroidal thickness and volume in children and teenagers were significantly greater than in adults. The nasal choroid was significantly thinner than the surrounding areas. The pediatric subfoveal choroid is prone to thinning with increasing age, axial length, and refractive error. These differences should be considered when choroidal thickness is evaluated in children with chorioretinal diseases.

Ocular Manifestations of Sjögren Syndrome / 한양의대학술지

Sjögren Syndrome (SS) is one of the most frequent systemic autoimmune disorders, mainly involving the eye and mouth due to inflammation of lacrimal and salivary glands. Exocrine glands affected with a typical focal lymphocytic infiltration potentially lead to dry eyes and dry mouth. In addition to the known pathogenic mechanism of SS through autoimmunity, corneal neuropathy, as a peripheral neuropathy which is a relatively frequent extraglandular systemic manifestation of SS, recently draws attention as a possible pathogenic mechanism of ocular symptoms and dry eye induction. The diagnostic criteria of SS changed recently, proposed by the American College of Rheumatology/Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (ACR/SICCA) in 2012, and the ocular surface staining score is the only required test for ocular manifestation of SS. However, other diagnostic methods evaluating tear film status, though excluded from the new criteria, are still important for the staging and treatment planning, including direct observation of tear film, tear film break up time, Schirmer test, and measurement of the tear film levels of inflammatory mediators. Eye-specific symptoms and signs and ocular treatment options for SS including tear substitutes, secretogogue, topical anti-inflammatory therapy with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, punctal occlusion, autologous serum, and mucolytic therapy were summarized and discussed in this review article.

The effectiveness of decompression for patients with dentigerous cysts, keratocystic odontogenic tumors, and unicystic ameloblastoma

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify the clinical effectiveness of decompression in decreasing the size of a cyst. In addition to the different types of cysts, we tried to reveal what effect host factors, such as the initial size of the lesion and the age of the patient, have on the velocity of cyst shrinkage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the aid of a panoramic view, we measured the size of the cysts before and after decompression in 13 dentigerous cysts (DCs), 14 keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KTOCs), and 5 unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) cases. The velocity of shrinkage in the three cystic groups was calculated. Relationships between the age of the patient, the initial size of the cyst, and the shrinkage velocity were investigated. RESULTS: The three types of cysts showed no inter-type differences in their velocity of shrinkage. However, there was a statistically meaningful relationship between the initial size of the lesion and the absolute velocity of shrinkage in the DC group (P=0.02, R=0.65) and the KTOC group (P=0.02, R=0.56). There was also a significant relationship between the age of the patient and the absolute velocity of shrinkage in the KTOC group (P=0.04, R=0.45) and the UA group (P=0.04, R=0.46). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the decrease in size due to decompression among the different types of cysts. However, the age of the patient and the initial size of the lesion showed a significant relationship with the velocity of shrinkage.