Papadaki C. DVM, Postgraduate student, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Lorida O. DVM, PhD candidate, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Brellou G. DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Papadimitriou S. DVM, PhD, Professor of Veterinary Dentistry, Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Dentigerous cysts are rarely reported in cats and can be found incidentaly on radiological examination.
Clinical case
A 3 -year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented for acute pain while chewing, and inability of food intake. On clinical examination mild displacement of the left mandible, sialorrhea and a painful swelling at the area of the absent canine tooth (304) of the left mandible were observed. Computed tomography revealed extensive bone lysis of the incisive part of the left mandible and a cystic formation extending to the first premolar tooth (including the 304). Regional lymph nodes were found normal. Therapeutically the dentigerous cyst with the affected bone were resected from the central incisor to the first molar tooth and tissue samples were sent for histopathological examination.
Results
Histopathological examination indicated cystic components compatible with a dentigerous cyst and the concurrence of a malignant neoplasm compatible with an anaplastic sarcoma. Two months post-surgery an enlarged, rapidly developing mass firmly attached to the soft tissue of the mandibulectomy area was observed and the cat passed away a few days later.
Conclusions
Dentigerous cysts require a complete diagnostic approach and rarely can co-exist with malignant neoplasia.
