Unusual presentation of an inflamed dentigerous cyst with aggressive features: A case report with management...

Dentigerous cysts are the second most common odontogenic cysts, typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on radiographs surrounding the crown of impacted teeth. They usually present as well-defined unilocular radiolucencies and exhibit non-inflammatory histological characteristics. In rare instances, they may undergo secondary infection or exhibit aggressive behaviour, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

A 64-year-old male patient presented with a progressive mandibular expansion and associated pain as a chief complaint. The oral examination revealed a swelling in the anterior portion of mandible with buccal plate expansion. The radiographic and histopathologic features were consistent with the diagnosis of dentigerous cyst. Consequently, the lesion was surgically removed, and no clinical or radiological recurrence was detected during 12 months post-operative follow-up.

While previous reports of dentigerous cysts typically describe a benign course with well-defined radiolucent borders, this case presents an aggressive variant with inflammatory changes. Furthermore, while dentigerous cysts are commonly associated with impacted teeth and remain asymptomatic, our case suggests a potential association between lesion size, patient age, and chronic inflammatory response as possible contributors to its aggressive behaviour.

This case highlights a rare occurrence of aggressive dentigerous cyst with inflammation and cortical perforation. It emphasizes the effectiveness of conservative surgical management and suggests further research on the link between lesion size, age, and unidentified inflammatory factors.