gorlin cyst or calcifying odontogenic cyst

Gorlin cyst is also know as calcifying odontogenic cyst . It is an intraosseous developmental odontogenic cyst

1. Calcifying odontogenic cyst Sayyed Jani BDS

2. Introduction: Also know as “ Gorlin Cyst ”. Gorlin 1962 described it as distinct clinicopathologic entity and a possible oral analogue of pilomatrixoma of skin ; owing to the presence of ghost cell keratinization. Gold 1963 named it as keratinizing and COC. It mostly appears as lesion especially solid lesion.

3. Etiopathogenesis : It may develop from (a) Dental lamina (b) Reduced enamel epithelium (c) odontogenic epithelial remants (d) bone or gingiva

4. Demographs : Gender predilection: No gender predilection Age predilection: average age around 30 years Site predilection: occurs in both maxilla and mandible especially in canine and incisors region Origin : Developmental odontogenic cyst

5. Clinical features: May be associated with other odontogenic lesions such as odontomas ; AOT and Ameloblastoma . painless swelling Extraosseous lesions exhibits painful swelling of gingiva

6. Radiographic features: Well defined unilocular radiolucent lesions with scalloped borders. Resorption and displacement of adjacent teeth Extraosseous type may have saucer shaped radiolucencies . Sometimes radiopacities may present which represents odontomas or calcifications.

7. Histopathological features: Lining epithelium is stratified squamous epithelium with 4 to 10 cells in thickness. The basal layer is made up of cuboidal or palisaded tall colunmar cells . The epithelial cells above this layer are many cells thick and may resemble stellate reticulum. Characteristic feature is presence of Ghost cells Ghost cells- pale ; eosinophilic ; enlarged ; ballooned ; elongated elliptloid or ovoid epithelial cells with an indistinct outline and nuclear membrane is faint due to degeneration of the nuclear content. These cells represent an abnormal keratinization process and tend to calcify . Connective tissue is fibrous and have satellite cysts or odontogenic epithelial cysts. Lumen – fluid filled with masses of ghost cells and calcifications .

8. Treatment and prognosis: Enucleation and reoccurrance is rare .