Cementoblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasm accounting for less than 0.69%-8% of all odontogenic tumours and is characterised by the presence of sheets of cementum-like tissue demonstrating large number of reversal lines. It shows an unlimited growth potential and a recurrence rate as high as 37.1%. It most commonly affects the permanent mandibular molars. This paper presents the third reported case of cementoblastoma affecting the deciduous maxillary posterior dentition. A 12-year-old male patient reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology with a chief complaint of pain and swelling in relation to the deciduous maxillary left second molar.

Aim of the studyDespite advances in surgical and radiotherapy techniques, the presence of lymph node metastasis drastically decreases the survival rate of patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Thus the accurate pathological staging of the neck is critical. Desmoglein 3 (DSG3), a desmosomal cadherin protein is said to be highly expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and in metastatic cervical lymph nodes, but absent in non-invaded nodes. With an aim to improve the sensitivity of tumour cell detection, we investigated the potential of DSG3 as an immunohistochemical marker for the detection of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with primary OSCC.Material and methodsForty-seven lymph node specimens from 10 patients who underwent neck dissection for primary OSCC were immunostained with DSG3.ResultsThe DSG3 positivity was noted in the six positive lymph nodes. However, when using DSG3 as an immunohistochemical marker, no additional micrometastatic deposits were evident in the histologically negative nodes. Interestingly, tumour marker DSG3-positive macrophages could be identified within the subcapsular sinuses, medullary sinuses, and the interfollicular areas.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that although DSG3 is overexpressed in HNSCC, it is not specific and may not prove to be a potent immunohistochemical marker to detect micrometastasis. The role of tumour marker-positive macrophages within the lymph nodes needs to be investigated further.

The diffuse neuroendocrine system continues to be an enigmatic topic of study in pathology due to its controversial embryologic origins, biology and a variety of tumors engendered. Originally thought to be localized to the classic neuroendocrine organs (pituitary, thyroid, pancreas and adrenal medulla), the neuroendocrine cells are now known to be distributed in every organ system of the body. A number of human diseases have been linked to aberrations in the functioning of the neuroendocrine cells. Neoplasms of the neuroendocrine system can thus occur in myriad primary sites and range in behavior from benign to lethal. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is a high-grade neuroendocrine tumor, rarely presenting in the sinonasal region. This article reports a case of a 68-year-old male patient with primary paranasal SNEC showing intraoral involvement. The diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical workup to differentiate it from the other small round blue cell tumors.