Idiopathic bone cavity of the jaws: an updated analysis of the cases reported in the literature

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the clinical and radiological features of solitary and multiple idiopathic bone cavities (IBCs) reported in the jaws, as well as to identify possible features that may have some influence on the frequency of persistence of IBC following treatment. An electronic search was undertaken in August 2018. Eligibility criteria included publications with sufficient clinical, radiological, and histological information to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 284 publications reporting 1253 IBCs were included. Multiple IBCs affected older patients and female patients more frequently in comparison to solitary IBCs. While trauma was more commonly found in cases of solitary IBC, scalloping around teeth, bone expansion, and persistence of the cavity following treatment were more significantly associated with multiple lesions. The most relevant factors that are suggested to influence the persistence of the cavity are 'surgical access only' in comparison to 'curettage', presence of scalloping around teeth, patients with multiple IBCs, and a larger lesion size. Solitary and multiple IBCs differ in some clinical and radiological aspects and show distinct rates of persistence following treatment. Curettage is the treatment of choice for IBCs compared to surgical access only.