An Adenomatoid Odontogenic Cyst (AOC) with an Assorted Histoarchitecture: A Unique Entity

AOC - a relatively uncommon lesion of odontogenic origin, that is non-invasive, slow growing and composed of odontogenic epithelium, shows varied clinical and histoarchitectural patterns. It has been regarded as a benign odontogenic tumour for more than a century, sharing its clinical and radiographic features with that of dentigerous cysts. Few cases which have shown the association of this lesion with dentigerous cysts have also been reported. Some authors have reported a distinct hybrid variety of this lesion which was derived from dentigerous cysts. An attempt has been made in this article, in describing this lesion as a "hamartomatous odontogenic cyst" rather than a tumour. Although this lesion has been known to the oral pathologists for a long time, its histogenesis still remains obscure. The present case highlights a new school of thought regarding the origin of this lesion.