Ameloblastic fibroma: report of case

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Oncology

Background:

• Ameloblastomas are rare in young children, presenting diagnostic challenges.
• Large mandibular lesions in pediatric patients require careful differential diagnosis.
• Distinguishing ameloblastoma from ameloblastic fibroma is critical for treatment planning.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old girl presented with a large, painless, radiolucent right mandibular lesion.
• Initial microscopic diagnosis was ameloblastoma, prompting further investigation due to patient age and lesion size.
• Re-evaluation led to a diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma.

Findings:

• Ameloblastic fibroma was diagnosed, necessitating a less extensive surgical approach compared to ameloblastoma.
• Conservative surgical management resulted in complete bony defect resolution.
• Radiographic follow-up at 16 months showed no signs of recurrence.

Implications:

• Accurate histopathological diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment of pediatric jaw tumors.
• Ameloblastic fibroma in children may be treated more conservatively than ameloblastoma.
• This case underscores the importance of considering differential diagnoses in unusual presentations of jaw lesions.