Dentigerous cyst exhibiting prominent mucous cell metaplasia: report of a unique case mimicking central mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Med Mol Morphol. 2021 Sep;54(3):253-258. doi: 10.1007/s00795-020-00278-y. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Abstract

A Japanese male aged 61 presented with persistent pain in the left posterior area of the mandible for several weeks. A panoramic X-ray revealed a unilocular lesion showing characteristics of a dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted third molar. A cystectomy was performed and histopathological examination revealed a cystic lesion with a fibrous wall. The lumen was covered with non-keratinizing squamous cells with obvious intercellular bridges, which were intermingled with partially ciliated goblet-cell-type mucous and columnar cells. Such cystic lesions should be carefully examined to distinguish them from the glandular odontogenic cyst and central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jawbone.

Keywords: Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma; Dentigerous cyst; Fluorescent in situ hybridization; Jawbone; MAML2; MUC; Odontogenic cyst.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Asian People
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid
  • Dentigerous Cyst / diagnosis*
  • Dentigerous Cyst / surgery
  • Goblet Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metaplasia
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucins / analysis
  • Odontogenic Cysts / diagnosis*
  • Odontogenic Cysts / surgery
  • Trans-Activators

Substances

  • MAML2 protein, human
  • Mucins
  • Trans-Activators