Ameloblastoma in the Northeast region of Brazil: A review of 112 cases

Abstract

Context:Ameloblastomas are benign tumors of the jaws with locally invasive capacity.Aim:The aim of this study was to review 112 cases of ameloblastoma seen over an 18-year period (1992-2009) at the Pernambuco Dental School, University of Pernambuco and at Federal University of Sergipe, in the northeast region of Brazil.Materials and Methods:The following data were selected for analysis: age, gender, race, site distribution, radiographic appearance, association with an impacted tooth, size, presence of symptoms, clinicopathologic subtypes and recurrence.Settings and Design:In this retrospective study, Pearson's χ2 test and t-test were employed. The critical level of significance was set at P < 0.05.Results:The mean age of the patients at presentation was 35.1 ± 16.8 years with a slight female preference. The peak prevalence was in the 11- to 20-year age group and declined with increasing age. Total 75 patients were black and 37 were white, for a 2:1 black: white ratio. The location of the ameloblastomas showed a marked predominance in the mandible (84.8%) and 69% of the cases presented with a multilocular radiographic appearance. The tumor was associated with an embedded tooth in 14 cases (12.7%): nine unilocular and five multilocular ameloblastomas. The maximum radiological extension of the lesions on panoramic radiographs was 0.5-20 cm (mean ± SD: 5.2 ± 3.3 cm) and most cases were symptom-free (75.9%). Solid/multicystic ameloblastoma was the most common clinicopathologic subtype. There was an association between the clinicopathologic subtypes and radiographic appearance (P < 0.001). Recurrence was observed in 13.3% of cases.Conclusion:We propose that racial factors may have strong influence on the incidence of ameloblastomas in the northeast region of Brazil, since most people have African descent. Data related to gender, location, radiographic appearance, size, symptoms, clinicopathologic subtypes and recurrence were similar to previous studies conducted in various parts of the world.

Jaw lesions associated with impacted tooth: A radiographic diagnostic guide

“…26 27 Ameloblastomas occur in association with an impacted or unerupted tooth (mostly the mandibular third molar) in 15% to 40% of cases. 28 Clinically, they are slow-growing tumors and are usually asymptomatic until they achieve a large size. 27 Radiographically, ameloblastomas can be multilocular (69%) or unilocular cyst-like lesions ( Fig.…”

“…4 ). 28 The lesions vary from totally radiolucent to mixed, with the presence of coarse and curved bony septae. These septae often make soap-bubble (large compartments of variable size) or honeycomb (several small compartments) patterns.…”

“… 27 Patients with ameloblastoma may exhibit root resorption, tooth displacement, bone expansion, and perforation. 26 27 28 …”

Immunohistochemical expression of GLUT‐1, GLUT‐3, and carbonic anhydrase IX in benign odontogenic lesions

“…Odontogenic tumors are a group of lesions with diverse behavior, and ameloblastomas are the most frequently reported tumors in the jaws . Ameloblastoma is benign odontogenic tumor originating from the odontogenic epithelium, with a slow‐growing course, locally invasive and infiltrative characteristic with high recurrence rates depending on the treatment instituted .…”

Oral Rehabilitation of Patients with Ameloblastoma of the Mandible. Clinical Results in Three Patients with Different Bone Reconstruction Techniques

“…The recommended treatment for ameloblastoma is surgical resection of tumour with safety margins of 1-2 cm, due to its aggressive recurrence rate [6,7]. Defect or discontinuity of the alveolar ridge of the mandible can be restored by different reconstruction flap techniques.…”