Which radiographic finding is commonly observed in periapical abscesses, granulomas, and cysts?

• A. Loss of lamina dura
• B. No radiographic change
• C. Hypercementosis
• D. Sclerotic change of surrounding bone

Answer: (A)

The main radiographic feature these periapical inflammatory lesions share is disruption of the lamina dura—the thin, dense radiopaque lining around the tooth socket. When an abscess, granuloma, or cyst forms at the apex, inflammatory cells and mediators resorb bone at the periapical region, breaking down this lining. So, you commonly see loss or discontinuity of the lamina dura adjacent to the affected tooth, often with a surrounding radiolucent area representing the lesion.

This makes loss of the lamina dura the best answer because it is a consistent change across all three conditions. Other options aren’t as reliably present: hypercementosis isn’t typical of these acute or chronic periapical lesions; sclerotic changes occur more with specific reactive patterns like condensing osteitis; and having no radiographic change isn’t correct since these lesions usually show at least a periapical radiolucency with lamina dura disruption.