Two unique cases of calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor in the maxillary posterior region

Compound odontoma associated with a calcifying odontogenic cyst. Case report and systematic review

The objectives of the present study were to comprehensively evaluate all the published cases on compound odontoma associated with calcifying odontogenic cyst (COaCOC) in the English literature and to describe the clinical, imaging and therapeutic variables for this condition. In August 2020, an electronic search of the PubMed / MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Springer, and Scopus databases was carried out. The eligibility criteria included publications with enough information to confirm the diagnosis. Furthermore, we present a clinical case of a 16-year-old male patient with OCCaC, who was treated with enucleation, obtaining favorable and functional results. A total of 32 cases reported in the literature that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including ours, were analyzed and discussed. The mayority of the patients were women (n = 17) with an average age of 14.4 years, the maxilla was the most affected bone (n = 22) and the maxillary anterior region was the area with the highest number of cases (n = 18), the main clinical presentations were the volume increase (n = 14) and asymptomatic (n = 14). The choice treatment was enucleation (n = 26) and, in most cases, no recurrence was reported (n = 20). This study allows to update the characteristics of the OCCaC, giving an effective vision of how to treat this rare pathological association made up of two conditions that are completely different from each other.

Calcifying odontogenic cysts: A 20-year retrospective clinical and radiological review

OBJECTIVE

Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) exhibit diverse clinical behaviours and may be associated with other benign odontogenic tumours. In this study, the clinical and radiological features of COCs were analysed according to subtypes based on the classification by Praetorius et al. Emphasis was placed on cases exhibiting atypical or aggressive radiological appearances. This information may assist the clinician to better understand the radiological spectrum of COCs.

METHODS

Histologically confirmed cases of COCs were retrospectively reviewed in a 20-year period from three tertiary institutions. The following clinical information was reviewed: patient demographics, main complaint, clinical duration, anatomical site and detailed radiological features.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven cases of COCs were included in the study. Asymptomatic swelling was the main clinical presentation with infrequent reports of associated pain. COCs had an anterior mandibular predilection. Well-demarcated borders were seen in all cases with isolated cases showing focal areas with loss of demarcation. Unilocular lesions were more common than multilocular variants. Internal calcifications were frequent and six cases presented with associated odontomas. Maxillary COCs resulted in the displacement of the maxillary sinus and/or nasal cavity walls. Radiological signs of aggression, including cortical destruction, were noted in a few cases.

CONCLUSION

Given the fact that COCs can present with a spectrum of clinical behaviours and radiological presentations, the academic debate regarding the cystic versus neoplastic nature of the entity is justifiable. The cases in the current sample presented with diverse presentations, ranging from indolent to lesions with significant growth and aggression.

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma arising in the background of a calcifying odontogenic cyst

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is a rare malignant neoplasm, representing 3% of all ghost cell lesions of the jaws. They can arise de novo or from a pre-existing calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) or dentinogenic ghost cell tumour (DGCT). A systematic review of the literature reported only 12 cases of a GCOC arising from a pre-existing COC. This report highlights an additional case of a GCOC arising from a pre-existing COC after 3 years in an adolescent male. The patient initially presented with a painless swelling of the right mandibular corpus. Panoramic radiographic examination showed an expansive unilocular radiolucent lesion. After 3 years, the radiographic features appeared more aggressive with increased expansion and cortical perforation. A wide surgical resection was performed, whereby the lesion was diagnosed as a GCOC. Due to the rarity of these malignant neoplasms, limited information is available regarding their biological behaviour. One-year follow-up revealed no clinical signs of recurrence.

Comparison of radiographical characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of intraosseous jaw lesions on panoramic radiographs and CBCT

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences in imaging characteristics and the diagnostic accuracy of 225 intraosseous jaw lesions on panoramic radiographs (PAN) versus cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

225 sets of PAN and CBCT images with biopsy-proven histopathological diagnoses were retrospectively compared in terms of radiographic features and diagnostic accuracy. The imaging characteristics of PAN and CBCT were independently evaluated by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists who were required to answer 12 questions and provided up to three differential diagnoses with their confidence scores.

RESULTS

Odds ratios (ORs) were statistically significant for border cortication (OR = 1.521; p = .003) and border continuity (OR = 0.421; p = .001), involvement on neurovascular canals (OR = 2.424; p < .001), expansion (OR = 7.948; p < .001), cortical thinning (OR = 20.480; p < .001) as well as its destruction (OR = 25.022; p < .001) and root resorption (OR = 2.477; p < .001). Furthermore, imaging features in the posterior and mandibular regions showed better agreement than those in the anterior and maxillary regions, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the first differential diagnosis was higher on CBCT than on PAN (Observer 1:78.7 vs 64.4%; Observer 2: 78.7 vs 70.2% (p < .001)). The observers' confidence scores were also higher at CBCT interpretation compared with PAN.

CONCLUSIONS

CBCT demonstrated a greater number of imaging characteristics of intraosseous jaw lesions compared with PAN, especially in the anterior regions of both jaws and in the maxilla. Diagnostic accuracy is improved with CBCT compared to PAN, especially for lesions in the maxilla. Radiologists have greater confidence when using CBCT.

Comparing panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomography: Impact on radiographic features and differential diagnoses

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to determine whether lesion features appear differently on panoramic radiography (PAN) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and whether the use of CBCT affects diagnostic accuracy and observers' confidence in comparison with PAN.

STUDY DESIGN

Three oral and maxillofacial radiologists reviewed 33 sets of PAN images and CBCT volumes of biopsy-proven lesions. They described 12 different lesion features and provided up to 3 ranked differential diagnoses, as well as their confidence with respect to those diagnoses. Their confidence was weighted by the rank at which the correct diagnosis was provided.

RESULTS

Odds ratios (ORs) were statistically significant for border definition (OR = 5.45; P = .004), continuity of border cortication (OR = 0.34; P = .035), effect on neurovascular canals (OR = 6.38; P = .043), expansion (OR = 18.56; P < .001), cortical thinning (OR = 30.22; P < .001), and cortical destruction (OR = 9.80; P < .001). There was no association between the 2 modalities and the rank at which the correct differential diagnoses were made or the observers' weighted confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Before acquiring a CBCT scan to aid in the diagnosis of an intraosseous lesion, clinicians should consider the diagnostic information that is expected to be gained. In this study, although there were differences between PAN and CBCT with respect to some lesion features, CBCT did not help improve diagnostic accuracy.

Differential diagnosis and clinical management of periapical radiopaque/hyperdense jaw lesions

Great attention has been given to the study of radiolucent periapical lesions to avert possible misdiagnosis of apical periodontitis associated with certain radiolucent non-endodontic lesions. However, there are a significant number of radiopaque lesions found in the periapical region, which could be equally relevant to endodontic practice. The diagnosis and management of these radiopaque/hyperdense lesions could be challenging to the endodontist. These bone alterations could be neoplastic, dysplastic or of metabolic origin. In the context of the more widespread use of cone-beam CT, a detailed review of radiopaque inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions is timely and may aid clinicians perform a differential diagnosis of these lesions. Distinguishing between inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions simplifies diagnosis and consequently aids in choosing the correct therapeutic regimen. This review discusses the literature regarding the clinical, radiographic, histological and management aspects of radiopaque/hyperdense lesions, and illustrates the differential diagnoses of these lesions.

Calcifying odontogenic cysts

INTRODUCTION

Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COC) represent 0.3-0.8% of all odontogenic cysts. We describe the finding and the treatment of a COC in a 67-year-old female.

OBSERVATION

An asymptomatic well-limited radioluscent mandibular lesion was fortuitously discovered on the panoramic X-ray in the periapical region of teeth No. 33 and 34. Treatment consisted in enucleation and curettage. Histologic examination was in favour of a COC. At 6 years follow-up, X-ray control showed new bone formation and the patient was free of symptoms. Pulp vitality was maintained in all teeth in the operated area.

DISCUSSION

Total enucleation is the preferred treatment of COC. Absence of recurrence is attested by X-ray controls and pulp vitality tests.

Conservative approach to recurrent calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor occupying the maxillary sinus: a case report

Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) is an uncommon benign cystic neoplasm of the jaw that develops from the odontogenic epithelium. Invasion into the maxillary sinus by a CCOT is not a typical, and the recurrence of the cystic variant of CCOT in the posterior maxilla is rare. This report describes a recurrent CCOT occupying most of the maxillary sinus of a 24-year-old male patient. As a treatment, marsupialization was carried out as a means of decompression, and the involved teeth were all endodontically treated. Afterward, surgical enucleation was performed. The size of the lesion continued to shrink after marsupialization, and the maxillary sinus restored its volume. This patient has been followed-up for 3 years after the surgery, and there have not been any signs of recurrence.