Odontogenic myxoma of the maxilla: A report of a rare case and review on histogenetic and diagnostic concepts

Abstract

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a rare and locally invasive benign neoplasm (comprising of 3-6% of all odontogenic tumors) found exclusively in the jaws. OM commonly occurs in the second and third decades, and the mandible is involved more commonly than the maxilla. The lesion often grows without symptoms and presents as a painless swelling. The radiographic features are variable, and the diagnosis is therefore not easy. This article presents a rare case of OM occurring in the maxilla of a 37-year-old female patient with a brief review of the pathogenesis, clinical, radiological, histopathological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of OM.

Keywords: Fibromyxoma; odontogenic myxomas; odontogenic tumors.

Figure 1

(a and b) Showing a bony hard, nontender swelling of approximately 4×3 inches, extending superoinferiorly from the infraorbital ridge to 1 inch above the inferior border of the mandible and anteroposteriorly from the right corner of the mouth to 1.5 cm anterior to the tragus. The skin overlying the swelling was normal in color

Figure 2

Showing a nontender, bony hard swelling extending from the maxillary right lateral incisor to the right maxillary tuberosity, thereby obliterating the right buccal vestibule. The adjacent gingiva and oral mucosa appeared normal

Figure 3

Showing a unilocular radiolucent lesion extending from 14 to 17

Figure 4

Showing the typical features of a myxoma, containing loosely arranged stellate or spindle-shaped cells within a myxoid matrix

Figure 5

Showing the intra-operative view of patient