Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of mandible: a case report

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare neoplasm of the jaws with uncertain pathogenesis. We present the case of a 48-year-old female patient who underwent evaluation of a bone defect on the left side of the jaw found during a routine imaging exam. The radiological examination revealed a well-defined unilocular radiolucent lesion with irregular margins. An excisional biopsy with an exploratory puncture was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a malignant neoplasm of glandular origin with three distinct cell morphologies: epidermoid, intermediate, and mucous. These cells permeate the stroma forming multiple cystic, sometimes filled with mucus and delimited by mucous and intermediate cells. Strong PAS-positivity demonstrated mucin areas. The diagnosis of MEC was established based on these findings. Although the intraosseous appearance is rare, MEC should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone pathologies. Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare neoplasm of the jaws with uncertain pathogenesis. We present the case of a 48-year-old female patient who underwent evaluation of a bone defect on the left side of the jaw found during a routine imaging exam. The radiological examination revealed a well-defined unilocular radiolucent lesion with irregular margins. An excisional biopsy with an exploratory puncture was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a malignant neoplasm of glandular origin with three distinct cell morphologies: epidermoid, intermediate, and mucous. These cells permeate the stroma forming multiple cystic, sometimes filled with mucus and delimited by mucous and intermediate cells. Strong PAS-positivity demonstrated mucin areas. The diagnosis of MEC was established based on these findings. Although the intraosseous appearance is rare, MEC should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone pathologies.