The glandular odontogenic cyst: clinical and radiological features; review of the literature and report of nine cases

Nine cases with glandular odontogenic cysts (GOC's) are presented bringing the total number reported in the literature to 54. Our study confirmed that most GOC's occur in the mandible, whereas maxillary lesions present only in the globulo-maxillary region. The radiological features were found to be non-distinctive and presented as well-defined radiolucencies with uni- and multilocular appearances. Most of the mandibular GOC's were unilocular, involved the symphysis region and only one extended into the ramus. All GOC's larger than 6 cm in diameter showed perforated margins radiologically. Our two multilocular GOC's demonstrated microscopic features supporting their infiltrative radiological appearance. The invasive clinical and radiological features of GOC support the notion of a possible histo-pathologic overlap between GOC and low-grade central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jaw.