Challenges in the Diagnosis of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A Case Report

Abstract

A whole range of benign and malignant bone tumours are commonly seen in the maxillofacial region. Thorough Knowledge of the clinical features and how these tumours appear in radiographic imaging is essential for diagnosis. Thus familiarity with the imaging appearance of bone tumours of the maxillofacial region facilitates and helps radiologists to narrow the list of differential diagnoses. We present a case of 40-year-old male patient who complained of mild pain in the left middle third of the face since 6 months and swelling in the palate since 2 years. Clinical features showed swelling in the left side of the hard palate and the radiographic features in the Orthopantomograph (OPG) revealed multilocular osteolytic lesion involving left maxillary sinus, CBCT showed multilocular osteolytic lesion involving the entire left maxillary sinus causing perforation of the medial wall of the sinus. Incisional biopsy showed features of low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma and later was surgically excised. The final histopathological report was suggestive of intermediate grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Here we highlight a unique case of multilocular radiolucency associated with mucoepidermoid carcinoma clinically mimicking a benign tumor.