Objective: To determine whether spontaneous resolution of simple bone cysts (SBC) is possible.
Methods: Ten patients were diagnosed as SBC on clinical and radiographic criteria and followed up for 1 to 7 years (mean 3.8). The degree of resolution was assessed subjectively by four radiologists and objectively by changes in the grey level histogram.
Results: All cases remained asymptomatic over the follow-up period. One of the lesions was considered static, two were increased, six remodeled and one resolved. The mean difference in grey levels between the lesion and the contralateral normal mandible decreased in 8 out of 10 cases.
Conclusion: It is probable that SBC resolves spontaneously. A protocol for clinical and radiographic diagnosis and follow-up is proposed.