GLANDULAR ODONTOGENIC CYST: TWENTY YEARS OF PROGRESSION IN A MISDIAGNOSED PATIENT

Abstract

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is an uncommon jawbone cyst of odontogenic origin with unpredictable and potentially aggressive behavior. This study reports a case with twenty years of evolution of GOC in a patient that initially presented an asymptomatic radiolucent lesion in the anterior mandible with no clinical alteration. The involved teeth were treated endodontically and the lesion was enucleated, but the lesion growth persisted. Other enucleations were performed, but with the same results. All histopathologic analysis of the enucleations were compatible with the diagnosis of periapical cyst. The patient abandoned the treatment for years, but an incisional biopsy was performed twenty years after the first consultation. The histopathologic analysis showed a superficial layer of the epithelium with eosinophilic cuboidal and columnar ciliated cells along with papillary projections and evidence of mucous cells. The diagnosis of GOC was made and the patient was referred for appropriate treatment.