A pigmented calcifying odontogenic cyst.
A case of the pigmented variant of the calcifying odontogenic cyst occurring in a 15-year-old West Indian girl is reported. Melanin pigment was widely distributed and appeared in greatest amount in cells exhibiting the appearance of stellate reticulum. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated large numbers of melanosomes in these cells but relatively few in epithelial ghost cells. The latter contained thick bundles of tonofilaments. Melanocytes were identified and two forms were distinguished, depending on their content of premelanosomes and fully melanized melanosomes.
D000293:Adolescent; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008543:Melanins; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D008543:Melanins