HOW CONSERVATIVE CAN WE BE IN THE TREATMENT OF GLANDULAR ODONTOGENIC CYSTS? A CASE REPORT

Abstract

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare maxillary cyst with an aggressive, potentially recurrent behavior. Because of such behavior, treating GOC conservatively remains a controversy for many oral and maxillofacial surgeons and oral pathologists. This study reports on a case in which GOC decompression was used with fairly good results in a male patient. After detailed clinical and radiographic examination, we performed an incisional biopsy with simultaneous placement of a decompression device. On receiving the histologic diagnosis of GOC, we decided to keep the decompression for 8 months, which resulted in significant volumetric reduction of the lesion verified through sequential radiographic examination and allowed for curettage of the residual pathologic tissue in a second surgical opportunity. Thus, our opinion is that decompression associated with curettage is a feasible conservative treatment for GOC. Still, longer follow-up is recommended to detect and intervene at the earliest signs of recurrence.