Demystifying intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible: A rare case report integrating cone beam computed tomography insights

Abstract

Salivary carcinoma, representing a small percentage of head and neck cancers, garners significant attention in the field of oncology. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), the most prevalent subtype, displays diverse clinical behaviours, ranging from slow growth to aggressive metastasis. Herein, we present a rare case of a 55-year-old woman reported with a bony hard and tender swelling on the left mandible over the past 3 months, following dental extraction in the same region. Cone beam computed tomography revealed features suggestive of a multilocular radiolucency with coarse septate, mimicking ameloblastoma. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible. Imaging plays a crucial role in detecting and distinguishing IMC, characterized by a sclerotic periphery and mixed internal structure, often presenting as unilocular and/or multilocular patterns. These imaging features may overlap with other lesions such as ameloblastoma, glandular odontogenic cyst, and odontogenic kerotocyst. This case report underscores the importance of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in accurately delineating IMC lesions and devising appropriate treatment strategies. In conclusion, this case highlights the critical role of cone-beam computed tomography in the accurate diagnosis and differentiation of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma from other mandibular lesions. Precise imaging and histopathological analysis are essential for guiding effective treatment strategies in such rare presentations of salivary carcinoma.