Objetives. Botryoid odontogenic cyst (BOC) is considered as an unusual multilocular variant of lateral periodontal cyst (LPC). Review of the literature indicates that this lesion has higher risk of recurrence than LPC, but objetive reasons are still unknown. The aim of this study is identify main clinical and pathological variables associated with the risk of recurrence. Study design. A complete literature review about cases of BOC was made, from its first description up to the year 2006. A total of 67 cases of BOC were identified from year 1973 (first case) to the last publication in 2005. Results. 85.2% of the BOCs were located in the jaw, affecting to women (54.8% of the cases) in the fifth decade of the life. This lesion shows a well- circumscribed unilocular (60%) or multilocular (40%) radiolucency. Recurrence rate of cases with follw-up data was 32,4%. Conclusions. Size and multilocular patterns could be the main factors associated to recurrence in BOC.