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Low-grade malignant fibrosarcoma of the dental follicle of an unerupted third molar without clinical evidence of any follicular lesion.

Leitner C, Hoffmann J, Kröber S, Reinert S

Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. Dr. Dr. S. Reinert).

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas are rarely seen in the head and neck region. They make up less than 1% of all malignant head and neck tumours. Not only the location, size and systemic manifestation, but also the histological differentiation plays an essential role in establishing the best treatment. If resectable, surgical removal of the tumour with clear margins is the preferred method. Adjuvant chemo- and/or radiotherapy might be considered in the case of high-grade lesions or narrow surgical margins. PATIENT: This paper reports a 23-year-old female patient who underwent routine surgical removal of unerupted wisdom teeth without clinical evidence of any follicular lesion and was diagnosed with a low-grade malignant fibrosarcoma of the dental follicle of the lower left unerupted third molar. CONCLUSION: This case report raises the question as to whether histological examination of all removed dental follicles should be carried out on a routine basis.

Published 2 March 2007 in J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 35(1): 48-51.
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