Odontogenic tumors (OTs) are distinct conditions that develop in the jawbones, exhibiting diverse histopathological features and variable clinical behaviors. Unfortunately, the literature on this subject in Saudi Arabia remains sparse, indicating a pressing need for more comprehensive data concerning the frequency, demographics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of OTs. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the frequency, demographic features, treatment, and outcomes of OTs across three tertiary medical centers. Methods and Material: OT cases were identified in King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), and Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) from January 2010 to December 2021. Results: Ninety-two OT cases were identified from the anatomical pathology laboratories of three tertiary hospitals. KFMC contributed the highest number of cases (43.5%), followed by KAMC (30.4%) and PSMMC (26.1%). The median age of OT patients was 29 years (range: 5–83), with males representing more than half of the patients (56.5%). The mandible was the most frequent site of OT occurrence (72.5%), with ameloblastoma being the predominant OT (63.0%), followed by odontoma (19.5%). Among the treatment modalities, bone resection was employed the most (51.0%), followed by enucleation (25.6%). Notably, 11.5% of OT cases with available follow-up data exhibited recurrence, with ameloblastoma accounting for eight recurrent cases. Conclusions: Although OTs are relatively common in the jaws, they are rare in anatomical pathology laboratories and the general population. This study contributes valuable insights into the epidemiology characteristics, treatment trends, and recurrence rates of OTs in Saudi Arabia.

Odontogenic cysts (OCs) are etiologically diverse conditions with a shared origin in the jaws. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of published data regarding OC frequency, treatment, and follow-up information in Saudi Arabia, especially from tertiary centers. Objectives: The study aims to assess the relative frequency, clinicopathological features, treatment, and follow-up of OCs in three tertiary medical centers. Methods and Material: OCs were identified from King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Fahad Medical City, and Prince Sultan Military Medical City from January 2010 to December 2021. Results: Three hundred and seventy-two cases of OCs were identified from the archive of three medical centers in Riyadh; one hundred and forty-nine (40%) cases were retrieved from Prince Sultan Military Medical City. The mean age of all OCs was 32 years (range 2–90), with 225 (60.4%) cases occurring in males. There was an almost equal distribution of OCs between the maxilla (47.0%) and the mandible (53.0%). The apical radicular cyst (ARC) accounted for half of the cases, followed by dentigerous cyst (DC) (29.3%) and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) (14.2%). Enucleation was the most common treatment modality (52.8%), followed by excision (35.0%). Thirteen cases showed recurrence: one ARC, four DCs, and eight OKCs. Conclusion: This is the first large multicenter study of OCs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All three centers showed that ARC was the most common, followed by DC and OKC.

Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is a bitter compound that is similar in taste to the polyphenols present in most vegetables and fruits. The human taste response towards this compound influences dietary preference, which has a bearing on an individual’s body mass index (BMI). Another factor that influences taste perception is fungiform papillae count. This, in turn, is governed by genetic factors or deleterious habits such as smoking. Establishing a link between all the above factors could lead to a wider understanding of obesity, which is a global health issue. PTC taste response, BMI, and fungiform papillae were recorded and statistically analyzed between two groups—smokers and nonsmokers. There was no statistically significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers with regard to PTC tasting ability. However, there was a significant inverse relationship between BMI and PTC tasting ability and fungiform papillae count both in smokers and nonsmokers. Thus, it can be inferred that as BMI increases, there is a lower likelihood of experiencing the bitter taste of PTC. Additionally, the ability to taste PTC decreases with diminishing numbers of fungiform papillae. Smoking does not affect bitter PTC tasting ability despite negatively affecting fungiform papillae count.

Mistake in diagnosis SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare neoplasm with inactivation of the SWI/SNF complex, with an aggressive clinical course as most of the lesions present as advanced in pT3/T4 stages with frequent recurrence, and many patients succumb to the disease. Reported initially in 2014, the lesion has male predominance, with an age range of 19 to 89 years and predilection for the ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity. Histopathological findings show a proliferation of small- to medium-sized monomorphic basaloid cells with indistinctive cytoplasmic borders and round variably prominent nuclei with scattered cells that show rhabdoid morphology. Cytoplasmic vacuoles are common. It has similar morphological findings to a wide array of neoplasms in the sinonasal area. We report a case of SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma in a 30-year-old man referred to our hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of sinonasal adenocarcinoma, intestinal type. Computed tomography showed a huge destructive soft tissue mass in the left maxillary sinus, extended to involve the left nasal cavity with extension to the skull base and perineural spread along the foramen rotundum. Histological examination revealed a malignant basaloid neoplasm embedded in a myxoid stroma that showed loss of SMARCB1 stain. The patient was treated with induction chemotherapy using etoposide and cisplatin for disease control. SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare neoplasm with an aggressive clinical course and high-grade behavior despite having uniform cytological features. This poses complex diagnoses, especially in small biopsies. Incorporating morphological findings with ancillary tests is required to identify this high-grade malignancy.