Melanin pigment in ghost cells of a complex odontoma

A case of complex odontoma, which contained melanin pigment in the ghost cells in a 53-year-old Japanese woman is reported. In addition to the characteristic histopathologic features of complex odontoma, ghost cells containing melanin pigment were widely distributed in and around the calcified masses. Furthermore, cytoplasmic processes of dendritic cells (melanocytes) were seen in some parts. The possible histogenesis of melanin pigment in odontogenic lesions was discussed, although no conclusion could be drawn from the present study as to its origin in complex odontoma.