Intra-alveolar granulocytic sarcoma developing after tooth extraction

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a malignant tumour composed of poorly differen tiated myeloid cells forming in an extramedullary site. It is generally ass ociated with acute leukaemia, particularly the myelocytic type. Its appeara nce in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia is exceptional. GS can appea r in multiple locations with the oral cavity being rarely involved. A mandi bular GS detected in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia 10 days after a tooth extraction is reported. The pathogenesis (by metastastic cells or migration through the Haversian canals) of the tumour is discussed. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.