A pigmented dentigerous cyst in a patient with multiple dentigerous cysts of the jaws: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to report an unusual and interesting case of non-syndromic multiple dentigerous cysts of the maxilla and mandible associated with melanin pigment and melanocytes in the epithelial lining in one of the cysts. In addition, embryologic aspect and origin of melanocytes are briefly discussed.


BACKGROUND
Dentigerous cysts are the second most common odontogenic cysts after radicular cysts. They are usually solitary with multiple cysts reported on occasion in association with syndromes. While melanocytes and melanin-pigment are widely distributed in the skin, the nervous system, certain types of mucosa, uveal tract, and other areas, they are not normally present within bone in mammals.


METHODS
A 37-year-old Iranian male was referred to an oral surgeon by his dentist for evaluation and treatment of multiple cyst-like radiolucent lesions around the crowns of some unerupted permanent teeth in both maxillary and mandibular anterior areas. The biopsy revealed numerous granules of melanin-pigment distributed throughout the epithelial lining of one of these cysts in addition to the characteristic histopathologic features of adentigerous cyst. Histochemical analysis confirmed the pigment was melanin, and many of the cells containing melanin were immunohistochemically positive for s-100 protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the specific origin and pathologic significance of the melanocytes described here cannot be explained, it may be of interest for future investigations.
Shahrabi Farahani
Shokoufeh
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran. shahrabi@ut.ac.irshahrabi@utt.ac.ir
Lotfalian
Mohammadtaghi
M
D000328:Adult; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008548:Melanosis / Q000150:complications*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000150:complications
D008543:Melanins; D009418:S100 Proteins