Intraosseous low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma- a rare case report and brief review of literature

Background: Intraosseous Mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC) is a rare tumour in the head and neck region. Its clinical and radiologic features mimic many common lesions in the jaws. The need for an Elective neck dissection (END) along with resection as well as need for adjunctive radiotherapy has been a long standing controversy, thus making treatment modalities a subject of debate. Objective: To formulate a correct diagnosis and treatment plan for this lesion in order to prevent recurrence and failure of treatment which may cost the patient dearly. Case Report: We present the case of a middle aged man diagnosed with Low Grade Intraosseous Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma in the mandible. Surgical management included resection of the lesion along with an elective neck dissection. Additionally the patient was subjected to radiotherapy. Follow up period of the patient has been 1 year. Conclusion: A patient presenting with an osteolytic lesion in the jaw must be thoroughly evaluated. However innocuous the lesion might seem to be, it may turn out to be something far more serious. In low grade intraosseous MEC where surgery is the mainstay of treatment, the tumour size also plays an important role as a prognosticator for the disease. Even if it is a low grade tumour histologically, advanced stages indicated by tumour size or invasion of surrounding structures, change the entire course of the disease. As a result, the management of any such disease should be done judiciously and should include an elective neck dissection and/or radiation.