Introduction: It might be difficult to differentiate solitary bone cysts (SBCs) from other cysts and tumors when the lesion occurs at an unusual location and/or shows atypical radiographic features. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful modality for evaluating the internal structure of lesions and may have the ability to distinguish SBCs from other lesions. However, few studies exist regarding MRI of SBCs in the oral region. The present study reports on the MR imaging of nine patients with SBCs and describes the diagnostic value of the MRI findings. Materials and methods: Nine patients with SBCs in the mandible were examined using MRI. In all patients, T1- and T2-weighted images (T1-WI, T2-WI) were obtained and contrast enhanced images and dynamic MRI were performed in four cases. Results: MR findings revealed homogeneous intermediate signal intensities (SI) on T1-WI and high SI on T2-WI in all cases. These SI indicated that the SBCs included homogeneous liquid. On the dynamic MRIs in all cases, the SBCs were enhanced from the margin to the inner part, indicating a gradual exudation of the contrast agent from the surrounding medullae to the inner part. These phenomena were not observed on the dynamic MRIs of the other true cysts with epithelial lining. Conclusion: MRI, especially dynamic MRI, can provide useful information for distinguishing SBCs from other cysts or tumors. Furthermore, dynamic MRI findings suggested that the liquid components of SBCs might have infiltrated from the surrounding medullae. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.