Submandibular abscess due to an infected keratocystic odontogenic tumor associated with simultaneous occurrence of a traumatic bone cyst: a rare case report.

AIM The aim of this report is to introduce a rare case in which an infected keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) was initially diagnosed and treated as a dentoalveolar abscess. BACKGROUND Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign neoplasm that can be secondarily infected. However, cervical soft tissue abscess formation as a result of an infected odontogenic cyst or tumor is a rare condition few of which have only been described in the existing literature. Also, there has been a single report regarding the coincidence of a traumatic bone cyst and a keratocytic odontogenic tumor to date. CASE REPORT The patient was a 29-year-old male, complaining of fever, pain and swelling in the left submandibular region. The panoramic radiography showed a well-defined and partially corticated radiolucency between the roots of the second and third left mandibular molars. In addition, a well-corticated radiolucent lesion was incidentally found on the right side of the mandible, which, following surgical exploration, was diagnosed as a traumatic bone cyst. CONCLUSION In the present report, an infected KCOT manifested as a cervical abscess, coincided with a traumatic bone cyst. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE From the clinical point of view, it is of paramount significance to prevent misdiagnosis of similar presentations as pulp and periapical lesions, which may lead to mistreatment and thus complications.