Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor - Case report of a rare entity

Central dentinogenic ghost cell tumor of the maxilla: a case report with new imaging findings and review of the literature

A dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a rare benign odontogenic tumor that commonly shows characteristics of solid proliferation and has a relatively high risk of recurrence after surgical treatment. We herein report a case of a central DGCT that occurred in the maxilla and resulted in bone expansion. This study highlights new imaging findings (particularly magnetic resonance imaging) along with histopathological observations. In addition, we conducted a review of the existing literature on this rare tumor. A 37-year-old man developed swelling around the right cheek. A benign odontogenic tumor such as ameloblastoma was suspected based on the imaging examination findings (including bone expansion and the internal characteristics of the tumor) on panoramic imaging, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The lesion was surgically excised from the right maxilla. Postoperative histopathological examination led to a definitive diagnosis of central DGCT. The tumor comprised epithelial neoplastic islands, resembling ameloblastoma, inside tight fibroconnective tissue; masses of ghost cells and formation of dentin were also observed. We had suspected that the minute high-density region around the molars on the imaging examinations represented alveolar bone change; however, it represented dentin formation. This led to difficulty diagnosing the lesion. Although DGCT may present characteristic findings on imaging examinations, its occurrence is infrequent, and in some cases, the findings may include the presence or absence of an impacted tooth without obvious calcification. The present case suggests that we should consider the possibility of an odontogenic tumor with calcification when high-density structures are observed inside the lesion.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: a case report and review of the literature

The purpose of this report is to highlight the presentation and review the clinical and histopathological features of DGCT. There have been 130 DCGT diagnoses reported in the literature. DGCT is part of the odontogenic ghost cell tumor family which also includes the calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) and the ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC). In June of 2018, a 48-year-old female presented with a painless, soft tissue growth overlying the right mandibular alveolar ridge. Further workup of the lesion included a panoramic radiograph and maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) which revealed a well-defined, multilocular lytic expansile radiolucency occupying the right mandibular body. An incisional biopsy of the right mandibular gingival mass was performed which revealed an unusual odontogenic neoplasm with mineralization and ghost cells. The patient was subsequently treated with excisional biopsy of the right mandibular lesion via enucleation and curettage. The specimen was sent to pathology and the tumor was found to have an epithelial neoplastic proliferation resembling that of ameloblastoma, accompanied by foci of ghost cells. Since mandibular bone was involved, a diagnosis of a benign central DGCT with extension into the overlying gingiva was rendered. She was successfully treated with excisional biopsy via enucleation and curettage and has no evidence of recurrence at three years post-operatively. DGCT can exhibit locally aggressive behavior and is characterized by ameloblastoma-like epithelial cells and the presence of dentinoid material and ghost cells.