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

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.