[en] This paper examines the capability of MR imaging in differentiating cystic lesions in the maxillomandibular region. MR imaging of 34 patients with cystic lesions in the maxillomandibular region was performed prospectively. After T1-weighted axial imaging, T1-weighted axial and sagittal/coronal imaging with Gd-DTPA and T2-weighted axial imaging was performed. The pathologic examinations of the cases showed 9 ameloblastomas, 13 odontogenic keratocysts, and 11 other types of cysts. MR differentiation between ameloblastoma and cysts was possible in all cases but one. MR images of ameloblastoma showed solid and cystic components, multilocularity, irregularly thickened walls, mural nodules, marked Gd-DTPA enhancement of the wall, and low T1-weighted signal fluids. MR differentiation between various kinds of cysts was difficult without information from conventional radiography, except odontogenic keratocysts. MR images of 17 keratocysts showed cystic patterns, regularly thin walls monolocular cysts, weak Gd-DTPA enhancement of the walls, and inhomogeneous intensity of the contents