Odontogenic ghost cells: Realities behind the shadow….

• Main Authors: Thippeswamy Shamenahalli Halappa, Jiji George, Abhilasha Shukla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Journal of Oral Research and Review
• Subjects: Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor; ghost cell odontogenic tumor; shadow cell
• Online Access: http://www.jorr.org/article.asp?issn=2249-4987;year=2014;volume=6;issue=1;spage=40;epage=43;aulast=Halappa

Ghost cells are pale anucleate cells with homogeneous pale eosinophilic cytoplasm with very pale to clear central areas in place of a basophilic nucleus; which are seen in small clusters or large masses. Few odontogenic and nonodontogenic tumors exhibit the presence of these transparent or shadow cells as a typical feature. Many attempts have been made in the past by several investigators regarding the true characteristics of ghost cells in these lesions, in spite of which they seem to be mysterious. Here, we have made an attempt to clear the illusions and controversies surrounding ghost cells.