title: Melanin-pigment in complex odontoma.
abstract: A case of complex odontoma, which contained melanin-pigment in the odontogenic epithelial cells in a 19-year-old Japanese male is reported. In addition to the characteristic histopathologic features of complex odontoma, odontogenic epithelial cells containing melanin-pigment were widely distributed in the fibrous connective tissue stroma which differed from that of the dental papilla in cellular appearance. No dendritic cells containing melanin-pigment were found in any sections. The possible histogenesis of melanin-pigment in the odontogenic epithelial cells was discussed, though no conclusion could be drawn from the present observation as to its origin in complex odontoma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008543:Melanins; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins