title: Ghost cell differentiation and calcification in ameloblastic fibroma.
abstract: Ghost cell differentiation within an ameloblastic fibroma is extremely rare. The ghost cells found in an ameloblastic fibroma in previously reported cases were all associated with a typical calcifying odontogenic cyst. Here, we report a case of an ameloblastic fibroma with focal ghost cells and calcifications in some neoplastic epithelial islands, but without other histologic manifestations consistent with a calcifying odontogenic cyst. The patient was a 13-year-old Chinese boy who presented with a bony-hard swelling in the posterior mandibular region over a 6-month period. Radiographs showed a well-defined multilocular radiolucency associated with an unerupted tooth. The lesion was mostly cystic-solid and comprised of odontogenic epithelial strands, islands and myxoid ectomesenchymal component microscopically. Small groups of ghost cells and calcification were noted in the epithelial islands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Hai Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology; D018333:Odontogenic Cyst, Calcifying / Q000175:diagnosis; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000473:pathology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000473:pathology