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

Abstract

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.