Shear’s Cysts of the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions 2022

This fifth edition of Mervyn Shear’s Cysts of the Maxillofacial Regions is prepared in honor of Professor Mervyn Shear and is dedicated to his memory. The editor expresses gratitude to the publishers for making the book eponymous, recognizing Shear’s foundational contribution. The original aim of the first edition, published in 1976, was to compile all available knowledge on maxillofacial cysts in a single volume, a goal that guided subsequent editions released in 1983, 1992, and 2007.

Over time, the rapid growth of scientific publications made it increasingly difficult to maintain a fully comprehensive account of the literature. While assisting Professor Shear with the fourth edition, the editor realized that the expanding volume of research had made the book overly detailed and less practical. Feedback from students and clinicians indicated that much of the added research was not directly relevant to everyday diagnosis and management of cysts.

In 2012, the editor and Professor Shear agreed that a new approach was necessary. Although Professor Shear was no longer able to participate actively, they jointly outlined the changes needed for a new edition. As a result, the fifth edition is a complete rewrite that retains the core goal of explaining cyst pathogenesis while focusing more clearly on clinical, radiological, and histological features relevant to diagnosis and management.

The book has been restructured to improve accessibility, presenting common lesions first and expanding sections on histopathology, differential diagnosis, and radiological features. Additional emphasis is placed on the historical development and classification of cysts to explain variations in terminology and confusion within the literature. Research findings that do not contribute meaningfully to diagnosis or understanding of pathogenesis—particularly in relation to odontogenic keratocysts—have been removed.

Although the editor initially aimed to reduce references, many older landmark studies were retained due to their enduring value and detailed observations. While approximately 250 references were removed, around 450 new and relevant references were added. The final result is a more focused, practical, and readable book designed for students, trainees, and both specialist and non-specialist clinicians, serving as both a diagnostic reference and an engaging educational text.