Glandular odontogenic cyst: report of a case with cytokeratin expression

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst: a Case Report and Literature Review

Background

The glandular odontogenic cyst is now a well-known entity comprising < 0.5% of all odontogenic cysts with a recent review tabulating about 200 cases in the English literature. Glandular odontogenic cyst shows epithelial features that simulate salivary gland or glandular differentiation. The importance of glandular odontogenic cyst relates to the fact that it has a high recurrence rate and shares overlapping histologic features with central mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of a case of glandular odontogenic cyst with the course of treatment and 9-years follow-up, followed by a review of the literature.

Methods

A 63-year-old male was referred for further investigation of a mandibular radiolucency observed by his general dental practitioner. The main complaint was a murmuring sensation in the lower jaw right side. Radiological examination revealed a well-defined, unilocular, radiolucent lesion, involving the right mandible with 17 and 68 mm in mediolaterally and anteroposterior dimension, respectively.

Results

A total enucleation of the cystic lesion and surgical extraction of tooth #46, #47 and #48, was performed under local anaesthesia. Histopathologic examination revealed a glandular odontogenic cyst.

Conclusions

Glandular odontogenic cyst shows no pathognomonic clinico-radiographic characteristics, and therefore in many cases it resembles a wide spectrum of lesions. Diagnosis can be extremely difficult due to histopathological similarities with dentigerous cyst, lateral periodontal cyst and central mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Therefore a careful histopathological examination and a long-term follow-up (preferably seven years) are required to rule out recurrences.

Unique case of glandular odontogenic cyst showing mucoepidermoid carcinoma-like islands in cystic wall

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a very rare jaw cyst accounting for 0.2% of all odontogenic cysts. It presents usually in adults with a slight male predominance. It shows radiological, histopathological and even immunohistochemical overlap with low grade intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) but their distinction is crucial. A 57-year-old woman with bilocular radiolucency in the anterior mandible crossing the midline is described here. Microscopy features were consistent with glandular odontogenic cyst but multiple MEC-like islands were seen in the capsule, creating a diagnostic head trip with low grade intraosseous MEC. However, the absence of cellular atypia and epidermoid and intermediate cells led to a final diagnosis of GOC, with close follow-up of the patient recommended. This rare finding shows the relation between GOC and MEC or the origin of MEC from GOC.

Gardner's Cyst Enswathing the Maxillary Antrum: Report of A Rare Case and Review of Literature

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) was named so by Gardner and the credit of discovery can be attributed to the work of Padayachee and Van Wyk (1987). The incidence of GOC is said to be between 0.012% and 1.3%. Even so, a little over 100 cases are reported in English literature. Mandible is more commonly affected than maxilla (20%) with almost 80% cases reported, with an anterior predilection. Even though GOC affecting maxilla is discussed in the literature, to the best of our ability, we could find that, in India, less than five cases affecting the maxillary sinus is ever reported, with none explaining about such a huge cyst that has encompassed the whole of the ipsilateral maxillary sinus. The aim to publish this case report was to understand the rarity in pathology, which GOC encompasses. Such rare cases if reported need to be published for the knowledge, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate treatment planning. Any pathology in the head and neck region should be seen with an eagle’s eye for appropriate management to increase patients’ quality of life.

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst of Mandible: A Rare Entity

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare developmental odontogenic cyst. It is a slow growing and asymptomatic swelling, usually affecting middle aged men and has tendency to reoccur. Here, we report a case of GOC in the anterior portion of mandible diagnosed by histopathology.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: A diagnostic dilemma

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare and uncommon jaw bone cyst of odontogenic origin described in 1987 by Gardener et al. as a distinct entity. It is a cyst having an unpredictable, potentially aggressive behavior, and has the propensity to grow in large size with relatively high recurrence rate. It poses a diagnostic challenge as it can be clinically and histopathologically confused with lateral periodontal cyst, botryoid odontogenic cyst, radicular and residual cysts with mucous metaplasia, and low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The present case report describes GOC in both male and female patients with intra-oral swelling following extraction of 36 and 46, respectively. Careful histopathological examination is needed to diagnose GOC, and a careful long-term follow-up is advocated.

Jaw cysts diagnosed in an Italian population over a 20-year period

BACKGROUND

Cysts of the jaws (JCs) are an important topic of oral pathology, but few epidemiological data are present in the literature, in particular about the potential of recurrence. The aim of this study was to describe a case series of JCs from a single institution, evaluating the frequency, the site, the age distribution, and the percentage of recurrence of all types of JCs.

METHODS

All JCs present in the histological records of the Section of Anatomic Pathology of the University of Bologna at Bellaria Hospital from 1992 to 2012 were retrieved.

RESULTS

A total of 1136 jaws cysts were obtained, of which 1117 (98.3%) were odontogenic and 19 (1.7%) were nonodontogenic. About odontogenic cysts (OCs), the most frequent was the radicular cyst (538 cases), followed by parakeratinized keratocystic odontogenic tumor (pKOT, 193 cases) and dentigerous cyst (120 cases). Among pKOT, 21 out of 193 cases (10.89%) showed a recurrence after a mean time of 4.5 years (range, 1-12 years). During follow-up (mean 11 years, range 1-19 years), all 3 cases of botrioid cysts, 12 out of 46 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma (26.09%), 2 out of 20 cases of calcifying OCs (10%) and 2 out of 538 cases of radicular cyst (0.37%) showed a recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that the distribution pattern of JCs in Italy is relatively similar to other studies worldwide and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the different histological types of JCs for their potential local aggressive behavior.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: review of literature and report of a new case with cytokeratin-19 expression

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) was a rare jawbone cyst described in 1988 as a distinct entity. This lesion can involve either jaw, and the anterior region of the mandible was the most commonly affected area. Clinical and radiographic findings were not specific, and the diagnosis of GOC can be extremely difficult due to the rarity of this lesion. The cyst presented a wall constituted by fibrous connective tissue and was lined by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of variable thickness. Large areas of the lining epithelium presented cylinder cells, sometimes ciliated. A variable amount of mucina was occasionally noted. Due to the strong similarities, this cyst can be easily misdiag-nosed as a central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CMEC). Immunohistochemistry may be an aid in diagnosis; in fact has been demonstrated that there were differences in the expression of cytokeratins (CK) in GOC and CMEC. In this study, we reported a new case of GOC in a 38 year female patient. In addition, we carried out a review of 110 previous cases reported in literature.

Dual lesions: a diagnostic dilemma

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare aggressive developmental cyst of the jaw. It most commonly occurs in middle-aged people with mandible anterior region being the most affected site. This lesion can present as a unilocular or multilocular radiolucency and has high recurrence rate. The histopathologic features of the GOC are complex and often coincide with the features of dentigerous cyst, radicular cyst, and low-grade central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CMEC). At times, the microscopic features are so similar to central low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma that it becomes highly impossible to distinguish the two entities even with various advanced investigations. The reported case represents one such diagnostic dilemma occurring in the maxilla which is a rare site, and the lesion/s appeared as two distinct entities, that is, GOC and CMEC on either aspects of the same side of maxilla clinically, yet showing continuity on advanced imaging and demonstrating histopathological perplexity.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: analysis of 46 cases with special emphasis on microscopic criteria for diagnosis

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is now a relatively well-known entity with recent reviews indicating over 100 cases reported in the English literature. The GOC's importance relates to the fact that it exhibits a propensity for recurrence similar to the odontogenic keratocyst, and that it may be confused microscopically with central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CMEC). Numerous histopathologic features for the GOC have been described, but the exact microscopic criteria necessary for diagnosis have not been universally accepted. Furthermore, some of the microscopic features of GOC may also be found in dentigerous, botryoid, radicular, and surgical ciliated cysts. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study is to further define the clinical, radiographic, and microscopic features of GOC, to determine which microscopic features may be helpful for diagnosis in problematic cases, to determine the most appropriate treatment, and to determine if GOC and CMEC share a histopathologic spectrum. In our series of 46 cases, the mean age at diagnosis was 51 years with 71% of cases in the 5th-7th decades. No gender predilection was noted. 80% of cases occurred in the mandible, and 60% of the lesions involved the anterior regions of the jaws. Swelling/expansion was the most common presenting complaint, although some cases were asymptomatic. Radiographically, most cases presented as a well-defined unilocular or multilocular radiolucency involving the periapical area of multiple teeth. Some lesions displayed a scalloped border. Cases also presented in dentigerous, lateral periodontal, and "globulomaxillary" relationships. The canine area was a common location for maxillary cases. All cases were treated conservatively (enucleation, curettage, cystectomy, excision). Follow-up on 18 cases revealed a recurrence rate of 50% (9/18), with 6 cases recurring more than once (range of follow-up: 2 months to 20 years; average length of follow-up: 8.75 years). The mean interval from initial treatment to first recurrence was 8 years, and from first recurrence to second recurrence was 5.8 years. Two cases recurred three times and the interval from second to third recurrence was 7 years (exact interval only documented in one case). All cases exhibited eosinophilic cuboidal (hobnail) cells, a feature not specific for GOC, but necessary for diagnosis, in our opinion. Univariate analysis indicated several features that are most helpful in distinguishing GOC from GOC mimickers in problematic cases, including: (1) the presence of microcysts (P < 0.0001); (2) epithelial spheres (P < 0.0001); (3) clear cells (P = 0.0002); (4) variable thickness of the epithelial cyst lining (P = 0.0002); and (5) multiple compartments (P = 0.006). Stratified analysis indicated that when microcysts are present, epithelial spheres and multiple compartments are still significant, and clear cells are marginally significant in distinguishing GOCs from GOC mimickers. The presence of microcysts (P = 0.001), clear cells (P = 0.032), and epithelial spheres (P = 0.042) appeared to be most helpful in distinguishing GOC associated with an unerupted tooth from dentigerous cyst with metaplastic changes. There were no statistically significant differences microscopically between GOCs that recurred and those that did not. The presence of 7 or more microscopic parameters was highly predictive of a diagnosis of GOC in our series (P < 0.0001), while the presence of 5 or less microscopic parameters was highly predictive of a non-GOC diagnosis (P < 0.0001). Islands resembling mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC-like islands) were identified in the cyst wall of three cases, only one of which had follow-up (no evidence of disease at 74 mo.); therefore, at this time insufficient information is available to determine whether GOC and CMEC share a histopathologic spectrum or whether MEC-like islands in GOCs are associated with more aggressive or malignant behavior.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: report of two cases and review of literature

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is an uncommon jaw bone cyst of odontogenic origin described in 1987 by Gardner et al. It is a cyst having an unpredictable and potentially aggressive behaviour. It also has the propensity to grow to a large size and tendency to recur with only 111 cases having been reported thus far. The first case occurred in a 42-year-old female and presented as a localized swelling extending from 19 to 29 regions. There was a history of traumatic injury at the site. There was evidence of bicortical expansion and radiographs revealed a multilocular radiolucency. The second case occurred in a 21-year-old male, as a large swelling in the mandible and radiograph revealed radiolucency in the region. On histopathological examination, these lesions were diagnosed as GOC. It was concluded that, two cases submitted by us correlate with the existing literature that GOC's affect more commonly in the middle age group, having predilection for mandible and that trauma could be a precipitating factor for its occurrence. The increased recurrence rates can be due to its intrinsic biological behavior, multilocularity of the cyst, and incomplete removal of the lining following conservative treatment.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: a challenge in diagnosis and treatment

The present review analyzes the accumulated data from all cases of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) reported in the English language literature. In the 20 years since it was first described, 111 cases have been reported, an incidence of 0.2% of odontogenic cysts. The age range is 14-75, mean 45.7, with a M/F ratio of 1.3:1. GOC has a predilection for the mandible (70%), affecting both anterior and posterior areas. It is typically radiolucent, well defined, either unilocular (53.8%) or multilocular (46.2%). Frequent perforation (61%) and of thinning of cortical plates (24.4%) indicate aggressiveness. Sufficient follow-up indicates that 30% of cases can recur. Treatment by enucleation or curettage carries the highest risk for recurrence, especially in large and multilocular lesions. Peripheral osteoectomy or marginal resection can eliminate the risk. Defined criteria for microscopic diagnosis are described, which in addition to Ki67 and p53 can help in differentiating GOC from lesions with histological similarities (cysts with mucous metaplasia, botryoid and surgical ciliated cysts, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma). Definite diagnosis may not be possible in small incisional biopsies due to the focal presentation of characteristic features required for diagnosis. There is now evidence to support an odontogenic rather than a sialogenic origin.

Glandular odontogenic cyst in China: report of 12 cases and immunohistochemical study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to present 12 additional cases of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) in the Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, People's Republic of China, and to investigate their immunohistochemical cytokeratins (CKs) expression in the epithelial components.

METHODS

A total of 12 GOCs were reviewed clinically and radiographically, and immunohistologic CKs AE1, 7, 8/18, 10/13, 14, 16, 19 and 20 were performed by using a standard biotin-streptavidin immunoperoxidase technique on paraffin sections.

RESULTS

The present series showed that eight occurred in males and four in females. The mean age was 37.6 years with a peak incidence occurring in the third decades (six of 12). Mandibles were more affected than maxillas (7:5), especially anterior mandible (four of seven). Radiographically, ratio multilocular to unilocular radiolucencies was 5:7 usually with well-defined borders. Histologically, cystic spaces were lined by non-keratinized stratified epithelia containing focal plaque-like or whirlpool-like thickenings; surface epithelial layer-containing eosinophilic cuboidal cells; mucous cells; and mucin pools of microcystic areas in the epithelium. Immunohistochemistry showed that epithelium of GOCs stained for CKs AE1, 7, 8/18, 10/13, 14 and 19 with slight changes in their patterns, and no reaction to CKs 16 and 20.

CONCLUSIONS

Most clinical and histologic features in this study were analogous to those reported west population, although with slight difference between them. Histologically, the morphology of the epithelium strongly suggested an odontogenic origin, and CKs expression of GOC was similar to that of odontogenic epithelium, suggesting histochemically that GOC might be derived from odontogenic epithelium.

The use of molecular markers as an aid in the diagnosis of glandular odontogenic cyst

(1) To investigate the use of p53, Ki67, and PCNA as an aid in the diagnosis of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC); (2) To compare the expression of these markers in GOC, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEPCa), and radicular cyst with mucous metaplasia (RCM) as an aid in the differential diagnosis; (3) To establish guidelines for the diagnosis of GOC.

STUDY GROUP

35 patients: 10 GOC, 15 RCM, 9 MEPCa. Immunostaining of archival specimens for p53, Ki67, PCNA. Twenty-nine articles (1987-2004) with detailed histopathological descriptions of GOC, analyzed for frequency of histopathological characteristics. Mean p53 labeling index (LI) was higher in GOC (3.0+/-4.3%) and MEPCa (4.9+/-7.4%) than in RCM (0.4+/-1.2%, p=0.048). Ki67 LI was higher in GOC (4.4+/-4.7%) and RCM (3.7+/-6.7%) than in MEPCa (0.7+/-1.6%, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in the expression of PCNA. In the literature, the most consistent histopathological characteristics of GOC included epithelial spherules/"knobs"/whorls (82.8%), cuboidal eosinophilic cells (65.5%), goblet cells (65.5%), intraepithelial glandular/microcystic ducts (58.6%), variations in lining width (55.2%), ciliated cells (51.7%) and mucous pools/mucous-lined crypts (41.4%). These histopathological features were divided into major and minor signs. The diagnosis of GOC should be based on at least the focal presence of the major signs. Measurement of p53 and Ki67 may aid in the differential diagnosis of GOC.

Glandular odontogenic cyst: Treatment and recurrence

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between clinical characteristics, radiologic features, treatment modalities, and treatment outcome of glandular odontogenic cyst, and to suggest a treatment protocol based on these results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included a total of 56 cases, 49 from the literature and 7 new cases. Demographic data, locularity and radiographic extension, cortical plate integrity, treatment modalities, follow-up, and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 34 male and 22 female patients aged 14 to 74 years (mean, 48 years). The mandible was involved in 41 cases (73.2%) and the maxilla in 15 (26.8%), predominantly in the anterior region; 53.6% of the lesions were unilocular and 46.4% multilocular. Large lesions were found in 78.5% of cases. Cortical integrity was compromised in 53.6% (cortical perforation in 39.3% and thinning or erosion of the cortical plate in 14.3%). Recurrence occurred at a rate of 29.2%, within 0.5 to 7 years (mean, 2.9 years). Mean follow-up was also 2.9 years. Two patients had 3 recurrences each. Recurrence was associated with minor surgery such as enucleation or curettage; none of the patients treated by peripheral ostectomy, marginal resection, or partial jaw resection had a recurrence. Compared with the patients without recurrence, the recurrence group had a higher frequency of multilocularity than the nonrecurrent group (64.3% vs 41.2%) and of compromised cortical integrity (71.4% vs 47.1%).

CONCLUSION

Glandular odontogenic cyst is an aggressive lesion. Treatment by enucleation or curettage alone is associated with a high recurrence rate. Small unilocular lesions can be treated by enucleation. In large uni- or multilocular lesions, an initial biopsy is recommended. Surgical treatment of large lesions should include enucleation with peripheral ostectomy for unilocular cases and marginal resection or partial jaw resection in multilocular cases. Marsupialization followed by second phase surgery is an option for lesions approaching vital structures. Follow-up should continue for at least 3 years (up to 7 years in cases with features associated with increased risk).

Cytokeratin expression in central mucoepidermoid carcinoma and glandular odontogenic cyst

Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is an entity whose origin is still controversial. Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a recently described lesion whose relationship to low-grade central MEC has been reported in the literature. Our aim was to assess the cytokeratin (CK) profile of central MEC and GOC, and compare the results with CK expression in salivary gland MEC and odontogenic cysts and tumors. Eighty-five cases, including 6 central MECs, 23 salivary gland MECs, 10 GOCs, 34 odontogenic cysts and 12 ameloblastomas, were studied through immunohistochemistry using eleven monoclonal anti-CK antibodies. All central MECs expressed CKs 5, 7, 8, 14, and 18 and all GOCs expressed CKs 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 19. Comparing CK expression from GOC and central MEC we found differences in CKs 18 (30% vs 100%) and 19 (100% vs 50%). Central MEC and GOC are probably distinct entities with CK profiles similar to lesions of glandular and odontogenic origins, respectively, and expression of CKs 18 and 19 could be useful in their differential diagnosis.

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst

This case report describes the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of the glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC). Although a relatively rare lesion not previously reported in the endodontic literature, the GOC is recommended for inclusion in a differential diagnosis of a dentoalveolar radiolucency. The GOC is a destructive lesion that can be easily misdiagnosed microscopically as a central mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Radiological features of glandular odontogenic cyst

OBJECTIVES

To present five new cases of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) and to review the radiological features at presentation as reported in the English literature.

METHODS

From 1993 to 2002, five patients in our department were diagnosed with GOC based on histopathological findings and supported by radiography and CT. The radiographic features of the new GOC cases were analysed in addition to 51 literature cases.

RESULTS

There were 31 male and 25 female patients, aged 14-90 years (mean 50 years). The mandible was involved in 80% and the maxilla in 20%; most of the lesions were located in the anterior jaw. Radiographically, 52% of the lesions were unilocular and 48% were multilocular; 94.5% showed well defined borders, which were sclerotic in 7.7% and scalloped in 13%. Information on cortical plate integrity was available in only 24 cases: 50% showed perforation, 8.3% erosion of the cortical plates and 8.3% thinning of the cortical plates. Root resorption was reported in 22% of patients and tooth displacement in 24.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Data collected indicate that GOC has potentially aggressive behaviour, with expansion and perforation in a significant number of cases. We recommend the use of multiple plane radiographs, with CT reserved for large lesions, especially those that are multilocular or involve extragnathic structures.

Glandular odontogenic cyst (sialo-odontogenic cyst): report of two cases and literature review of 45 previously reported cases

The clinical, radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical (cytokeratin) features of two cases of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) are presented and discussed in a review of 45 cases of GOC hitherto reported. Of cases with available information, 34 occurred in the mandible and 6 in the maxilla; the male:female ratio was 19:28, and the mean age was 46.7 years in males and 50.0 years in females. Six cysts recurred once after 2-8 years (mean 2 years 8 months) and 2 (5.3%) recurred twice after 2 and 5 years and after 3 and 5 years, respectively, giving a rate of recurrence of 21%. The identification of osteodentin in one of the present cases and the co-expression of cytokeratins (CK) 13, 19 and 8 strongly support the concept of odontogenic differentiation in the GOC. Careful surgical removal of the lesion succeeded by a 5-year follow-up period is recommended.