Ameloblastoma of the mandible: a case report

Custom-Made 3D Titanium Plate for Mandibular Reconstruction in Surgery of Ameloblastoma: A Novel Case Report

Ameloblastoma is a benign yet locally invasive odontogenic neoplasm, characterised by slow growth and painless swelling. The treatment for ameloblastoma varies from curettage to en bloc resection, with recurrence commonly occurring. The safety margin of resection is hence essential to avoid recurrence. Understanding the three-dimensional anatomy for reconstruction of mandibular defects after tumour resection often poses problems for head and neck surgeons. Historically, various autografts and alloplastic materials have been used in the reconstruction of these types of defects. Over time, advances in technology with computed tomography scanners and three-dimensional images enhance the surgical planning and management of maxillofacial tumours. The development of new prototyping systems provides accurate 3D biomodels on which surgery can be simulated, especially in cases of ameloblastoma, in which the safety margin is vital for the clinical outcome. The objective of this paper was to report a clinical case of employing these methodologies for reconstruction after an extensive mandibular resection. The clinical outcomes were observed. A case of follicular ameloblastoma of the mandible is depicted in the following paper, where a 3D biomodel was used throughout the surgery. A 3D printed patient-specific titanium implant was manufactured and placed intraoperatively for reconstruction. The treatment had satisfactory postoperative results without complications. Titanium implants being bioinert, customisable and easily workable, especially with the help of 3D virtual planning techniques, can be considered as ideal alloplastic materials for mandibular reconstruction.

An unusual case of ameloblastoma observed in the left anterior mandible

AIM

To report a small intaalveolar ameloblastoma which resembled cystic lesion, and to emphasize the value of Computed tomography (CT) in radiographic examination.

BACKGROUND

Ameloblastoma is a slow-growing, locally invasive odontogenic neoplasm that accounts for approximately 10% of all tumors detected in the jaws. Radiographically, those tumors are usually well-defined. Computerized tomography is highly recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 48-year-old female attended with a chief complaint of painless swelling in the left anterior of mandible, 1 month duration. In intraoral examination, non-fluctuant, immobile, approximately 1 × 1 cm in dimension, painless, swelling which had a bone-like hardness and located in the mandibular canine region was detected. Panoramic radiography revealed a well circumscribed unilocular radiolucent lesion located in the inter-radicular area of left mandibular lateral and canine teeth. In CT examination it was realized that the lesion was multilocular. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen was reported as ameloblastoma.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

It is extremely difficult to find such an ameloblastoma in small dimension in alvolar bone.

Surgical planning for resection of an ameloblastoma and reconstruction of the mandible using a selective laser sintering 3D biomodel

Ameloblastoma is a benign locally aggressive infiltrative odontogenic lesion. It is characterized by slow growth and painless swelling. The treatment for ameloblastoma varies from curettage to en bloc resection, and the reported recurrence rates after treatment are high; the safety margin of resection is important to avoid recurrence. Advances in technology brought about great benefits in dentistry; a new generation of computed tomography scanners and 3-dimensional images enhance the surgical planning and management of maxillofacial tumors. The development of new prototyping systems provides accurate 3D biomodels on which surgery can be simulated, especially in cases of ameloblastoma, in which the safety margin is important for treatment success. A case of mandibular follicular ameloblastoma is reported where a 3D biomodel was used before and during surgery.

Piezosurgical Treatment of Unicystic Ameloblastoma

BACKGROUND

This case report describes a 22-year-old female who was referred with a radiolucent lesion between her mandibular right molars. The original radiographic image suggested an odontogenic cyst.

METHODS

The surgical enucleation and osteotomy of the residual cavity were performed with a piezoelectric knife. Histologic analysis revealed the lesion was a unicystic ameloblastoma that showed no evidence of epithelial invasion in the connective tissue wall, and it appeared to be contained within the cystic cavity with an intraluminal projection showing features of an ameloblastoma. The patient refused any further surgical treatment. In consideration of the pathological result (no presence of invasive epithelial cells in the connective tissue wall of the cyst), a wait-and-see policy was proposed to the patient, with more extensive surgical treatment only if a recurrence was noted.

RESULTS

The patient has been followed clinically and radiographically at 6-month intervals for 5 years. There have been no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, the piezoelectric knife could be considered a promising device in the treatment of odontogenic tumors.

Hamartomatous proliferations of odontogenic epithelium within the jaws: a potential histogenetic source of intraosseous epithelial odontogenic tumors

BACKGROUND

The jawbone is replete with a vestige of odontogenesis. The overall consensus is that intraosseous remnants of the enamel organ and dental lamina are the only histogenetic option for central epithelial odontogenic tumors. Curiously, incipient tumors or possible precursor conditions of residual odontogenic epithelium have rarely been reported in the literature.

METHODS

We microscopically evaluated 39,660 biopsy samples to determine the presence of a tumor-like odontogenic epithelial nodule in the maxilla and mandible.

RESULTS

Seven intraosseous specimens that associated with a focal proliferation of odontogenic epithelium were retrieved. Six hamartomatous processes showed four different morphologic patterns comparable with the tumor nests comprising ameloblastoma (n = 1), squamous odontogenic tumor (n=1), calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (n=2) and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (n=2). Among six lesions, four were the intrafollicular development. The remaining case of interest was multiple hyperplastic clear rests of Malassez in association with an impacted tooth.

CONCLUSION

Although it is impossible to predict the fate of these microscopic structures of hamartomatous character, the present case series indicates that any of the dormant embryonic residues of odontogenic epithelium can return to an active state, capable of non-reactive, probably neoplastic proliferation of pathological significance.

Common benign oral soft tissue masses

This article reviews some of the more common benign oral soft tissue masses with emphasis on their etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathology, and treatment. These lesions include traumatic fibroma, mucocele, warts/papilloma, pyogenic granuloma, peripheral giant cell granuloma, generalized gingival hyperplasia, gingival fibromatosis, lateral periodontal cyst, lipoma, and denture-induced hyperplasia.