Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst Exhibiting Focal Clear Cell Change: A Diagnostic Challenge
Abstract
Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), commonly termed the Gorlin cyst, is a developmental odontogenic cyst characterized by “ghost cells” within its epithelial lining. The World Health Organization classifies it as a benign cystic entity with distinctive histopathological features. Although it constitutes approximately 1%–2% of odontogenic cysts and tumors, its diverse clinicopathological spectrum may complicate diagnosis. We present an unusual case of COC with clear cell changes in a 48-year-old female presenting with pain and swelling in the left posterior mandible. Radiographic evaluation revealed a well-demarcated multilocular radiolucency containing radiopaque foci. Histopathological examination demonstrated cystic spaces lined by palisaded columnar epithelium with stellate reticulum-like areas, numerous ghost cells, and focal clear cell changes. Recognition of this unusual variant is critical for accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management.
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BibTeX
@article{sarkar2026calcifying,
title = {{Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst Exhibiting Focal Clear Cell Change: A Diagnostic Challenge}},
author = {Keya Sarkar and Sudeshna Bagchi and S. K. Abdul Mahmud and Rudra Prasad Chatterjee and Sanjeet Kumar Das and Mousumi Pal},
journal = {Contemporary Clinical Dentistry},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/ccd.ccd_251_26},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/ccd.ccd_251_26},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst Exhibiting Focal Clear Cell Change: A Diagnostic Challenge
AU - Keya Sarkar
AU - Sudeshna Bagchi
AU - S. K. Abdul Mahmud
AU - Rudra Prasad Chatterjee
AU - Sanjeet Kumar Das
AU - Mousumi Pal
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Contemporary Clinical Dentistry
DO - 10.4103/ccd.ccd_251_26
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/ccd.ccd_251_26
AB - Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), commonly termed the Gorlin cyst, is a developmental odontogenic cyst characterized by “ghost cells” within its epithelial lining. The World Health Organization classifies it as a benign cystic entity with distinctive histopathological features. Although it constitutes approximately 1%–2% of odontogenic cysts and tumors, its diverse clinicopathological spectrum may complicate diagnosis. We present an unusual case of COC with clear cell changes in a 48-year-old female presenting with pain and swelling in the left posterior mandible. Radiographic evaluation revealed a well-demarcated multilocular radiolucency containing radiopaque foci. Histopathological examination demonstrated cystic spaces lined by palisaded columnar epithelium with stellate reticulum-like areas, numerous ghost cells, and focal clear cell changes. Recognition of this unusual variant is critical for accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management.
SN - 0976-237X
SN - 0976-2361
ER -