The calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was first described as a distinct entity by Gorlin et al. [1] in 1962. In 2005, it was classified as a tumor and termed a calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) by the World Health Organization because of its neoplastic behavior [2] . CCOT is normally a painless slow growing tumor and may occur in association with other odontogenic tumors, such as odontomas [3] .

Histopathologically, CCOT is usually composed of a cystic cavity with a fibrous capsule lined by odontogenic epithelium. Masses of ghost cells may occur in the epithelial lining and these often become may be calcified [2] .

Radiographically, CCOT generally appears as a unilocular or multilocular radiolucent area with well-defined margins and may contain radiopaque materials [4] , in varying quantities and shapes.

This report describes a case of CCOT occupying the maxillary sinus of a 16-year-old Japanese boy.

A 16-year-old boy, with no relevant medical history, presented with swelling in the left maxillary region with nasal obstruction and was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Nara Medical Hospital. Physical examination revealed mild facial asymmetry due to the swelling on the left cheek. Oral examination revealed a firm swelling in the alveolar mucosa and gingiva-buccal fold in the left upper posterior region (Figure 1). The overlying mucosa was normal and the lesion was elastic hard to palpation. Panoramic radiograph showed a unilocular lesion in the left maxillary sinus and root resorption in the left maxillary molars (Figure 2). Electric Pulp Test with 24, 25, 26, showed negative result. Computed tomography (CT) showed an approximately 5-cm well-defined unilocular expansile lesion with multiple radiopaque calcific specks, arising from the left maxillary alveolar. It extended into the left maxillary sinus and left nasal cavity and elevated the left orbital floor (Figure 3).

Aspiration of the lesion showed a citrine yellow serous liquid content. Incisional biopsy revealed a benign cystic lesion with typical histologic features of CCOT.

Root canal therapy followed by surgical enucleation of the cystic lesion and apicoectomy with 24, 25, 26 was carried out under general anesthesia. An intraoral approach was used, and the lesion was exposed and could be easily removed from the bone without adhesion (Figure 4). The excised tumor measured 40 × 45 mm, had a smooth surface, and was elastic soft to palpation. Sectional view showed a unicystic lesion containing calcifications in the cystic wall (Figure 5).

Microscopically, the cystic wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium with a columnar and cuboidal basal layer. Numerous ghost cells and calcified particles were present within the lining epithelium (Figure 6). A histopathological diagnosis of CCOT was made. Postoperative healing was uneventful, and no recurrence of the lesion was reported in the 3-year follow-up period.

CCOT is a relatively rare lesion that represents only about 2% of all odontogenic pathological changes in the jaw [5] [6] . It is clinically characterized as a painless-slow-growing tumor, that affects the maxilla as well as the mandible, and generally occurs in young adults in the third or fourth decade of life. It exhibits no sexual predilection and is most commonly seen in the anterior region [7] [8] . CCOT can present alone, as in the present case, or is associated with other odontogenic tumors, such as odontomas, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors, and ameloblastomas [9] .

Microscopically, CCOT usually presents as a cystic cavity with a fibrous capsule lined by odontogenic epithelium with columnar or cuboidal basal cells resembling ameloblasts. The typical histological feature is the presence of varying number of aberrant epithelial cells, without nuclei, called “ghost cells”.

Differential diagnosis of CCOT includes adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, and calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor. Definitive diagnosis can be made histologically [4] .

Odontogenic tumors of the jaw-bones show a wide range of radiographic manifestations that result from the presence of dental components of ectodermal and mesodermal originthe jaw-bones [10] . Specifically, as CCOT is a mixed lesion, it has a wide range of radiologic appearances. Radiographically, CCOT generally appears as a well-defined, unilocular, or multilocular lesion with occasional radiopaque deposits of varying sizes and opacities. Root resorption and root divergence are common―and an associated unerupted tooth is observed in about 33% of the cases [11] .

CT is important for investigating the internal structures of the lesion and has been considered very useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning [12] . In the present case, CT showed internal calcification in the lesion, which is an important characteristic that was not detected by panoramic radiography.

To review previous case reports of the CCOT expanding to the maxillary sinus published from 2001-2016, a search was carried out in the internet site PUBMED. A review of 8 cases, including the present case, is presented in Table 1. In the 8 cases, the patient age ranged from 5 to 45 years, with a mean age of

(+), positive results; (−), negative results; NA, not available.

20.8 years. The male:female ratio was 1:3. Root resorption and impacted tooth was observed in 4 out of 8 reported cases.

The discussion about the neoplastic behavior of CCOT is still recent. Yoshida et al. [7] analyzed immunohistochemical features of 16 cases of COC with various histological features, including proliferative type lining epithelium, ameloblastomatous appearance, and combined odontoma, to characterize the cytodifferentiation and cellular activity. They reported that the bcl-2 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of the lined epithelial cells in 12 cases with COCs, however, the lining epithelial cells sporadically tested positive for the Ki-67 antigen in the nuclei. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed little or no differences in cytodifferentiation and cellular activity among COCs. The results suggested that COC with various histological features had neoplastic potential and might not be separate entities within the same histological spectrum.

The recommended treatment for CCOT is usually conservative and consists of enucleation with curettage, i.e., enucleation followed by removal of a 1 - 2 mm layer of bone around the complete periphery of the cystic cavity with a sharp curette or a bone bur [13] . The purpose of this procedure is to remove epithelial debris that could turn into a recurrent lesion. Occasional recurrences have been reported [13] [14] , most of which have occurred over 5 years following initial treatment, usually in elderly patients. We emphasize that the choice of treatment should be individualized for each lesion since radiological and histological features may differ from one lesion to another.

CCOT is a benign odontogenic neoplasm that may exhibit occasional aggressive and recurrent behavior. In the present case, the patient underwent conservative treatment with complete enucleation of the lesion. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up period.

In conclusion, this was a case of CCOT occupying the maxillary sinus. CT served an important tool in making an appropriate surgical planning of the lesion in the present case. A satisfactory esthetic outcome with no sequelae was achieved.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

Nakamura, H., Tamaki, S., Ueda, N., Yamakawa, N., Imai, Y. and Kirita, T. (2017) A Large Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumor Occupying the Maxillary Sinus: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Open Journal of Stomatology, 7, 291-298. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojst.2017.75023