Cytologic findings in calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT), or Pindborg's tumor, is a rare, benign, odontogenic neoplasm first described by Pindborg in 1955. It is most commonly seen in the fourth and fifth decades of life, usually arises in the mandibular premolar-molar areas and accounts for approximately 1% of all intraosseous odontogenic tumors. This report describes the cytologic findings in a case of CEOT.


METHODS
A 62-year-old woman was referred to the ear, nose and throat clinic with a right maxillary mass. The fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed numerous calcifications; amorphous, eosinophilic material; and clusters of round epithelial cells embedded in a bloody background. The smears were diagnosed as suspicious for malignancy. Maxillectomy was done. The histologic sections were diagnosed as CEOT.


CONCLUSIONS
FNA findings of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor have been described rarely. The clusters of epithelial cells with prominent nucleoli are mistaken for features of a malignant tumor.
Shekarkhar
Mohammad Javad
MJ
Department of Pathology and Otolaryngology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran. mjavadsh@yahoo.com
Tabei
Seyed Z
SZ
Kumar
Perikala V
PV
Hashemi
Seyed Baseer
SB
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography