Maxillary dentigerous cyst showing squamous odontogenic tumor‑like proliferation: surgical approach and literature review

• Main Authors: Camila de Oliveira Barbeiro, Roberto Henrique Barbeiro, Heitor Albergoni da Silveira, Luciana Yamamoto de Almeida, Jorge Esquiche León, Andreia Bufalino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of São Paulo 2021-08-01
• Series: Autopsy and Case Reports
• Subjects: Squamous odontogenic tumor; odontogenic cysts; dentigerous cyst; histology
• Online Access: https://www.revistas.usp.br/autopsy/article/view/189985

Squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) is a rare benign neoplasm of the jaw that likely arises from remnants of the dental lamina. It is a slow-growing lesion, with a radiolucent appearance in the central variant. Microscopically, SOT shows islands of squamous epithelium supported by fibrous stroma. In rare cases, squamous odontogenic tumor-like proliferation (SOT-LP) can be observed arising from odontogenic cysts (SOT-LPOC). Herein, we describe the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with discreet bleeding in the maxillary gingiva. Imaging revealed a well-defined, ovoid-shaped lesion with sclerotic margins involving tooth #18 in the intraosseous location. Fine needle aspiration supported the cystic nature of the lesion. After surgery, microscopy revealed a dentigerous cyst showing SOT-LP features. There was no recurrence after a 3-year follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a dentigerous cyst showing SOT-LP features in the maxilla. Such cysts should be identified to avoid misdiagnosis, with the finding having therapeutic and prognostic implications.