Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2025 May 29;17(5):e85021.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.85021. eCollection 2025 May.

Granular Cell Ameloblastomatous Transformation From the Remnants of a Dentigerous Cyst: A Unique Case Report

Manjula Hebbale  1 , Prashant Rao  2 , Rajshekhar Halli  3 , Priya Deo  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Granular Cell Ameloblastomatous Transformation From the Remnants of a Dentigerous Cyst: A Unique Case Report

Manjula Hebbale et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Granular cell ameloblastoma is a unique, infrequent histologic variant of unicystic/multicystic ameloblastoma showing distinct histologic and immunohistochemical features. The prognosis and treatment are similar to other common subtypes of solid or multicystic ameloblastoma. Granular cell ameloblastoma should be distinguished from other lesions with granular cells mainly due to its high risk of recurrence. Although it is rare, it has greater recurrence potential and chances of malignant potential. A better knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastoma and its various subtypes may provide diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. We are reporting a case of granular cell ameloblastoma arising from the wall of a dentigerous cyst. The lining of the dentigerous cyst shows a potential for neoplastic transformation to ameloblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Keywords: dentigerous cyst; enucleation; granular cell ameloblastoma; lysosomal aggregation; neoplasm.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Extra-oral examination showing facial asymmetry with a diffuse swelling on the right side of the face.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Intra-oral swelling in the right mandibular posterior region.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Orthopantomogram revealed unilocular, non-corticated radiolucency on the right side extending from the tooth 47 region to the mid-ramus region.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Cone beam computed tomography showing destruction of the buccal and lingual cortex.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Enucleation of the lesion.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Macroscopic examination revealed a specimen associated with the permanent mandibular right second molar.
Figure 7
Figure 7. The cystic lining resembling reduced enamel epithelium.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Low-power view showing the tumor consisting of epithelial islands and scant connective tissue.
Figure 9
Figure 9. High-power view of islands of tumor cells lined by ameloblast-like cells, and the central area showed granular cells, stellate reticulum-like cells, and areas of cystic degeneration.
Figure 10
Figure 10. Connective tissue with collagen fibers interspersed with blood elements and a few multinucleated giant cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Odontogenic cysts. Rajendra Santosh AB. Dent Clin North Am. 2020;64:105–119. - PubMed
    1. Odontogenic cysts: classification, histological features and a practical approach to common diagnostic problems. Brown SJ, Conn BI. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpdhp.2022.02.007 Diagn Histopathol. 2022;28:253–266.
    1. Odontogenic cysts and tumors. Chi AC, Neville BW. Surg Pathol Clin. 2011;4:1027–1091. - PubMed
    1. Ameloblastoma arising in the wall of dentigerous cyst: report of a rare entity. Kondamari SK, Taneeru S, Guttikonda VR, Masabattula GK. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2018;22:0. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma arising in odontogenic cysts: a report of five cases and a review of the literature. Wolk DR, Freedman DP, Reich DR. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2022;133:0.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources