Glandular odontogenic cyst misdiagnosed and treated as a periapical inflammatory lesion for 6 years in an older adult

Gerodontology. 2024 Sep;41(3):436-440. doi: 10.1111/ger.12741.

Abstract

Objectives: To document the case of a patient who underwent several endodontic treatments due to a glandular odontogenic cyst misdiagnosed as an inflammatory periapical lesion.

Background: Glandular odontogenic cysts behave more aggressively, while others have an indolent course. There is limited information on this cyst in the gerodontologic literature.

Materials and methods: A 76-year-old male patient presented with an asymptomatic expansive lesion in the anterior mandible resistant to several endodontic treatments. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a multilocular osteolytic lesion measuring 6.0 × 4.0 cm, with cortical bone perforation.

Results: Histopathological analysis of a biopsy specimen was consistent with glandular odontogenic cyst. The patient underwent marginal mandibulectomy with preservation of the base of the mandible.

Conclusion: A strict diagnostic process is important to avoid unwanted consequences, particularly in the geriatric population.

Keywords: cysts and tumours of the jaws; diagnosis; glandular odontogenic cyst; misdiagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Mandibular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandibular Diseases / pathology
  • Mandibular Diseases / surgery
  • Odontogenic Cysts* / diagnosis
  • Odontogenic Cysts* / pathology
  • Odontogenic Cysts* / surgery
  • Periapical Diseases / diagnosis
  • Periapical Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Periapical Diseases / pathology