Calcifying odontogenic cyst: a detailed international multicentric study.

Area of Science:

• Oral Pathology
• Odontogenic Cysts
• Histopathology

Background:

• Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) are rare lesions of the jaw.
• Understanding their characteristics is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of a large cohort of COCs.
• To analyze clinical, demographic, and radiographic data associated with COCs.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter retrospective study of 146 COC cases from seven laboratories in four countries.
• Analysis of clinical, demographic, radiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical data.
• Statistical analysis using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Main Results:

• 146 COCs analyzed (141 central, 5 peripheral), predominantly in males (mean age 27.8 years).
• Common presentation: asymptomatic anterior maxillary swelling, appearing as a unilocular radiolucency.
• Immunohistochemistry revealed cytoplasmic positivity for CK AE1/AE3, CK14, CK19, Bcl-2, and nuclear β-catenin expression.

Conclusions:

• COCs predominantly affect young adult males, presenting as asymptomatic maxillary swellings.
• Diverse radiographic and histopathological presentations are observed.
• Association with other odontogenic lesions, especially odontomas in younger patients, is noted.