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Decompression Followed by Targeted Secondary Enucleation of an Extensive Mandibular Odontogenic Keratocyst in Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome: A Case Report with Differential Radiologic Response of Two Lesion Compartments


Authors : Sarra Azzez; Hela Zouaghi; Chaima Haj Hassine; Chiraz Baccouche

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October


DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct560

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign but locally aggressive intraosseous lesion with a high recurrence rate and a well-established association with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome. In young patients with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome and extensive mandibular involvement, radical resection can cause severe functional and aesthetic morbidity, prompting interest in conservative, bone-sparing alternatives. Previous reports have described decompression and staged enucleation as effective strategies for reducing lesion volume and enabling less morbid definitive surgery, yet evidence in syndromic cases with bilateral or multilocular mandibular disease remains limited. This case report describes the outcome of a two-stage conservative approach in an 18-year-old man with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome and extensive multilocular mandibular OKCs at high risk of pathological fracture. The scope includes clinical, radiographic, and histopathological assessment, decompression with a custom stent, and secondary enucleation with peripheral ostectomy. The novelty lies in achieving complete resolution of one compartment and marked volumetric reduction of the other, enabling nerve-sparing surgery without neurovascular deficit or fracture, thereby supporting decompression as a viable first-line option in selected syndromic patients.

Keywords : Odontogenic Keratocyst; Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome; Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome; Decompression; Mandible; Bone Regeneration.

References :

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The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign but locally aggressive intraosseous lesion with a high recurrence rate and a well-established association with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome. In young patients with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome and extensive mandibular involvement, radical resection can cause severe functional and aesthetic morbidity, prompting interest in conservative, bone-sparing alternatives. Previous reports have described decompression and staged enucleation as effective strategies for reducing lesion volume and enabling less morbid definitive surgery, yet evidence in syndromic cases with bilateral or multilocular mandibular disease remains limited. This case report describes the outcome of a two-stage conservative approach in an 18-year-old man with Gorlin–Goltz syndrome and extensive multilocular mandibular OKCs at high risk of pathological fracture. The scope includes clinical, radiographic, and histopathological assessment, decompression with a custom stent, and secondary enucleation with peripheral ostectomy. The novelty lies in achieving complete resolution of one compartment and marked volumetric reduction of the other, enabling nerve-sparing surgery without neurovascular deficit or fracture, thereby supporting decompression as a viable first-line option in selected syndromic patients.

Keywords : Odontogenic Keratocyst; Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome; Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome; Decompression; Mandible; Bone Regeneration.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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