Non-resolving periapical inflammation: a malignant deception

To report a case of oral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a delayed diagnosis.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the oral cavity is an uncommon but important condition. Early diagnosis is complicated when the presenting signs and symptoms are similar to those of odontogenic infections. This report describes the case of a 38-year-old female patient who presented to her dentist complaining of pain in her upper jaw. Subsequent dental treatment, including extraction, root canal treatment and apicectomy including biopsy were carried out by the patient's dentist and local dental hospital. Nine months elapsed before a more extensive surgical exploration established a diagnosis of lymphoma.