Desmoplastic ameloblastoma in the mandible

The desmoplastic variant of ameloblastoma (DA) is characterized by unique histological and radiographic features. It is histologically characterized by an abundance of densely collagenous stroma with small nests and strands of likely compressed odontogenic epithelium. Although radiographic examination of ameloblastomas usually reveals unilocular or multilocular radiolucency, DA may appear as a mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesion. In this case report, a 68-year-old man who had a complaint of a mass in his right mental region is presented. The patient was unable to wear his prosthesis because of an underlying swelling. An incisional biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination of the surgical specimen revealed large epithelial islands of ameloblast-like cells within increased, dense, collagenous desmoplastic stroma. Histopathologically, it was diagnosed as DA. Under local anesthesia, the lesion was enucleated. There was no recurrence after 32 months of follow-up.