Intraosseous Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Maxilla Mimicking an Odontogenic Lesion

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of salivary gland origin, accounting for approximately 27% of all salivary gland malignancies. While it frequently involves the parotid gland, intraoral cases show a predilection for the palate. Rarely, MEC can arise within the facial skeleton, where it is the most common salivary gland tumor to occur intraosseously. Intraosseous MECs of the jaws are extremely rare and often present diagnostic challenges due to their clinical resemblance to more common jaw lesions. We present a rare case of intraosseous MEC in a 52-year-old male, initially presenting as a recurrent cystic lesion in the maxilla. The case underscores the diagnostic difficulty posed by its unusual histopathological features.