Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor (AOT) Arising from a Dentigerous Cyst: Literature Review and Report of a Case

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is an uncommon benign tumor of odontogenic origin composed of odontogenic epithelium in a variety of histopathological patterns. These lesions are usually solid but are occasionally cystic. AOT has been reported to occur in association with odontogenic cysts. Very few cases have been described that arise in association with a dentigerous cyst. A systematic search of the English-language medical literature in PubMed and Medline search (keywords adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, dentigerous cyst) data bases revealed only ten such cases.

The present case is very unique, exceptional and first of this kind that occurred in the posterior mandible associated with an impacted lower first premolar in a 19-year old female patient. The intraosseous follicular AOT, as this case reported here, frequently resemble dentigerous cysts. There is an uncertainty whether the lining of an associated cyst represents a true dentigerous cyst, cystic change within an AOT or may represent a distinct entity. We believe that this case represents an odontogenic cyst with neoplastic change. Hence, in such cases, the final diagnosis should be made on the basis of histological examination of extensive tissue sampling of entire excised tissue specimen. Further studies to determine whether the AOT derived from an odontogenic cyst could represent a distinct variant are to be done.