A Rare Odontogenic Cyst in an Uncommon Area: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst is a rare developmental odontogenic cyst of the jaws. It is a less aggressive intraosseous cyst identified by an orthokeratinized epithelium. Case Report A 50-year-old male patient with the chief complaint of swelling in the anterior part of his face, and, intraorally, there was diffuse swelling in the palatal cortex. On panoramic radiography, there was a well-defined unilocular radiolucency on the right side of the maxilla and palatal cortical expansion, and thinning of the buccal and palatal cortexes was observed. The histopathological examination revealed a pathologic cyst that was lined by a thick orthokeratinized epithelium. Therefore, the diagnosis was orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst. Conclusion The orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst displays characteristic clinical, histopathological, and biological features that differ significantly from those of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), but it has a better prognosis and lower recurrence rate. Thus, other radiolucent lesions of the jaws, including keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), must be considered in the differential diagnosis.