Mandibular squamous odontogenic tumour misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) is an unusual, benign odontogenic tumor presented in close physical relationship to the dentition and originating from the epithelial rests of Malassez in the periodontal ligament or gingival epithelium. It was first described in 1975 by Pullon et al. and there are few cases reported in the literature. The main characteristic of this lesion is a tendency to arise in the molar region of the mandible and in the premolar-canine region of the maxilla with a simultaneously asymptomatic swelling in the alveolar. SOTs are incidental discoveries on routine dental radiographs or panoramic x-rays in many cases. We report a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian woman with SOT of the mandible in the area of the right premolars.