Comments Note the radiographic appearance that looks like a lateral periodontal cyst.
Many diseases and conditions can look like a lateral periodontal cyst as seen in this series of cases. Note on the left radiograph the very early loss of some of the lamina dura. The histology shows large blue nuclei of the plump macrophages, the Langerhans cells, along with numerous eosinophils, lymphocytes and some plasma cells. Eosinophilic granuloma is that component of Langerhans cell disease that affects bone primarily in teenagers and in the mouth can mimic periodontal disease. A proliferative, non-neoplastic disease, it is to be respected since it has some morbidity.